§ 78. Mr. J. HARRISasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes submitting to the Governors of the tropical dependencies the conclusions and recommendations of the Private Enterprise Committee; whether, in view of the British principle of trusteeship, he is prepared to emphasise the importance of adopting these recommendations and whether he will, in addition, consider the advisability of requesting the Governments of the territories to insert a detailed wages clause in any such contracts by private contractors, as also in the estimates drawn for Departmental work?
Mr. THOMASThe Majority Report referred to is under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to say what action will be taken on its recommendations. As regards the Minority Report, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Lorimer) on the 18th February.
§ Captain TERRELL The following question stood in the name of
83. To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the large sums now being provided by this country for railway development in East Africa and elsewhere, he proposes to take steps to ensure that all orders for material of any sort shall, so far as possible, be placed in this country, especially with the object of relieving unemployment.
§ Captain TERRELLOn a point of Order. This question was put down as an unstarred question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot pass a question that is on the Paper, and take a later one instead.
Mr. THOMASCertainly. I gave an assurance to that effect as regards East Africa in the Debate in Committee on the 25th February.
§ Captain TERRELLDoes that mean that all the materials for the railways will be purchased from Great Britain?
§ Captain TERRELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to state again what he did say?