HC Deb 09 July 1908 vol 192 cc60-1
MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON (Lanarkshirk, N.W.)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received from the Government of St. Vincent a request for the sanction of a loan, from the Government of St. Vincent relief fund, for the purpose of reopening the Carib country fresh-water canal, which was destroyed in the eruption; I and, if so, what reply he has given to this request.

THE UNDER - SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Colonel SEELY,) Liverpool, Abercromby

The Secretary of State has sanctioned the free grant of £1,600 from the St. Vincent Eruption Fund for the purpose mentioned in the Question. As regards a loan in addition to it, it would not have been possible to make a loan from the fund without trenching on the invested portion of the Fund, which the Secretary of State has decided should be held as a reserve against the contingency of a future disaster, and should not be invested on local security. A loan has, however, been authorised from floating balances of general revenue if the Legislature are willing to pass an Ordinance for the purpose.

MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON

Is it not the fact that the floating balance of general revenue is only £5,600.?

COLONEL SEELY

asked for notice of the Question.