HC Deb 23 July 1907 vol 178 cc1349-50
SIR GILBERT PARKER

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to make to St. Helena a grant for the repair and necessary up-keep of the roads, to which reference is made in the Governor's Report; and, in view of the distress which exists in the island and the privation to which women and children are subjected, and that a great many of the men have had to emigrate for a term of years to work in the mines, leaving their families behind them, whether a special relief grant will be given.

MR. CHURCHILL

It is not proposed to make a grant for the repair of the roads which have hitherto been maintained out of Army funds for military purposes. A grant of £300 for relief of distress was made recently. This grant has been expended. It is not proposed to make any further grant for this purpose, as the Secretary of State has reason to believe that further employment, in addition to that secured by 100 labourers who have been engaged by the Namaqualand Copper Company, will shortly be provided out of the grant-in-aid for flax growing and other sources.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that labourers from St. Helena have been refused permission to work in the Transvaal mines?

MR. CHURCHILL

was understood to reply that some difficulty had arisen.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

I bog to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps, if any, the Government intend to take to secure employment for the distressed inhabitants of St. Helena until the flax industry, which is being established, and which takes four or five years to develop, will give them work to do.

MR. CHURCHILL

The Secretary of State is making inquiries in various quarters as to the possibility of opening up new sources of employment. A large batch of labourers has recently been engaged for South Africa, and it is understood that workings on a concession for exploiting the phosphate deposits of the island will shortly be commenced. The preliminary operations in connection with the flax will also absorb some labour. Consequently I hope the number of those likely to remain unemployed is not likely to be such as, to require any further direct action by the Government at present.