HC Deb 27 March 1912 vol 36 cc422-4
Mr. POINTER

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the state of confusion on the Tabaquite railway extension works now in course of construction for the Trinidad Government; whether the Government are sweating their contractors who, turn, are sweating their labourers; whether many of the labourers have to go without wages in consequence of the low contract prices; and whether, seeing that this and other extensions are being carried out by money which is the result of special taxation partly upon the food of the poor, he will take such steps as will secure the work being done under such conditions as will allow decent working conditions to be given?

Mr. HARCOURT

The Tabaquite railway extension works are being carried out by the Government of Trinidad, and I have no reason to think that any such state of affairs as that referred to by my hon. Friend exists in connection with these works.

Mr. POINTER

In view of the very definite information I have received in this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman inquire specially into it?

Mr. HARCOURT

If my hon. Friend will give me the information he has, of course I will make inquiries.

Mr. POINTER

asked why, although the abolition of the Savana Grande Local Road Board has been stated to be quite temporary, its re-establishment has been refused by the Trinidad Government, notwithstanding the earnest petition of a large number of influential residents in the district?

Mr. HARCOURT

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to him on the 20th February, 1911, as to the circumstances in which the Savana Crande Road Board was superseded. It appears that numerous complaints were received from all classes of proprietors in the district as to the neglected condition of the roads before the Board was superseded, and I have not heard that any petition has been received since for its restoration.

Mr. POINTER

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman looks upon this as anything else than a temporary abolition?

Mr. HARCOURT

It is always dangerous to decide what is temporary and what is permanent.

Mr. POINTER

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the irregularities and deficiencies in the Trinidad Post Office; and whether he will take any action in the matter?

Mr. HARCOURT

I am not aware of the existence of any irregularities or deficiencies in the Trinidad Post Office.