§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON (Lanarkshire, N.W.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the economic loss that has accrued to the inhabitants of Barbadoes and St. Lucia as the result of the withdrawal of the garrison from these islands, His Majesty's Government propose to devote any sum of money to their relief in the form of a Grant-in-Aid.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThere is no precedent for paying compensation to the inhabitants in a case of this kind. At present both Colonies are in a sound financial position. Barbadoes has a surplus, and St. Lucia has a reserve fund of, I think, over £20,000.
§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSONWhat circumstances differentiate the cases of Barbadoes and St. Lucia from St. Helena?
§ MR. CHURCHILLIf the resources of a Colony are greatly impaired, then it becomes a matter for the consideration of the Government. Such circumstances may occur in St. Helena which, so far as we are aware, will not arise in the case of the other islands.