14. Mr. BOOTH BYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the advisability of setting up a special Committee to advise His Majesty's Government as to the best methods of further developing the Crown Colonies?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe development of the Colonies and Protectorates continues to engage the earnest attention of the Government, and I have no doubt my hon. Friend is aware that a number of Committees and other bodies is already engaged in considering various aspects of the important problem of Colonial development.
Mr. THOMASCan my hon. Friend state what reason actuated the Government in dispensing with the Committee which could have advised them on matters of this kind?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI think the right hon. Gentleman alludes to the Committee in regard to East Africa. My right hon. Friend considers that in regard to East African development, there is so much scope for action arising out of the Report of the East African Commission and the Governor's Conference that there is really no room for that Committee.
Mr. THOMASMay we take it that when boiled down the hon. Gentleman's answer means that the present Colonial Secretary considers that all the assistance he requires is the Under-Secretary?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am not in a position to answer that question.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWill the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that East Africa is not to be the limit of the Government's endeavours in this respect?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECertainly. We are constantly in touch with various bodies, such as the Chambers of Commerce interested in West Africa, the West Indian Committee and other bodies interested in the development of particular groups of Colonies. The suggestion that we should have one Committee for the whole Colonial Empire is impracticable.