§ Mr. MITCHELL - THOMSONasked whether, in view of the approaching opening of the Panama Canal, His Majesty's Government will undertake to make inquiry as to the desirability of providing better docking and repairing facilities at Kingston?
Mr. HARCOURTIt is not easy to forecast the situation which will result from the opening of the Canal, and I can only say at present that His Majesty's Government have not lost sight of that aspect of it to which the hon. Member's question refers.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONWill they make inquiry?
§ Sir EDWIN CORNWALLasked whether an American syndicate contemplates spending £300,000 to provide new docks and harbour at Kingston, Jamaica; and, if so, whether he can take any steps to secure that British capital should be employed in any such enterprise; and whether, in view of the early opening of the Panama Canal, he can make any statement to the House as to the intentions of the Government with regard to providing further facilities for trade and shipping in Jamaica and other West India islands?
Mr. HARCOURTMy hon. Friend has, no doubt, seen the statement which appeared in the "Times" of the 23rd instant. I have not yet received any communication from the Government of Jamaica on the subject. As regards the general question, I am not in a position to go beyond the answer which I have just given to the hon. Member for North Down.