§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSONI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Secretary of State has advised that assent be given to the ordinances establishing a Board of Agriculture in Trinidad; whether taxation is being collected for the purposes of such a Board; and, if so, whether he will take steps to see that the creation of the Board is not longer delayed.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Colonel SEELY, Liverpool, Abercromby)The Secretary of State has agreed to assent being given to the Trinidad Board of Agriculture Ordinance, subject to an understanding on one point, as to which he awaits a reply from the officer administering the Government. The special tax referred to has been collected since 1st July, and is being carried to a suspense account in the local Treasury, pending a decision on the scheme of reorganisation, which has naturally required some time for consideration. The Secretary of State hopes that the Board will shortly be constituted.