HC Deb 05 February 1930 vol 234 cc1884-6
39. Mr. THURTLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how the fees announced to have been paid to the members of the Commission on the Sugar Industry in the British West Indies were divided; and why it was considered to be necessary to pay fees in this case?

40. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what fee was paid to each of the members of the Commission on the Sugar Industry in the British West Indies; and what considerations determined the size of the fee in each case?

42. Colonel ASHLEY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the name of the chairman of the Commission on the Sugar Industry in the British West Indian Colonies: and what fee, in addition to travelling expenses and subsistence allowances, he has or is to receive for his work in this connection?

Dr. SHIELS

The Commission consisted of two members, Lord Olivier who was Chairman, and Mr. D. M. Semple. The Chairman is to receive an honorarium of 650 guincas, and Mr. Semple one of 500 guineas. The inquiry was a technical and economic investigation, for which a special personnel was required. In the case of Mr. Semple, there was no question of being able to secure his services without this fee, and his authority as an expert is well known. The case of Lord Olivier was also in the nature of specialist service, and he was invited to act because of his particular qualifications for the work. He was Secretary to the Royal West Indian Commission in 1897, he had service in the Leeward Islands, and also acted as Colonial Secretary and Governor of Jamaica. Further, he has been head of the West Indian Department of the Colonial Office, and was later Permanent Secretary of the Board of Agriculture in England. He was, there fore, particularly well qualified to deal, not only with some of the technical issues involved, but also with questions of public finance and the economic and social conditions of the West Indian Colonies. To carry out the inquiry four months were necessary. As an ex-civil servant on pension, he was not in a position to undertake this work without replacing the income which he was losing by having to suspend his journalistic and literary work on which a necessary part of his income depends. There are many precedents for the payment of members of such Commissions. As has been stated, the Colonies concerned are meeting these costs, and we have every reason to believe that they consider the expenditure justified.

Mr. THURTLE

Were the Colonies concerned aware, at the time of the appointment of this Commission, that they would have to pay these salaries?

Dr. SHIELS

Yes, Sir; that was arranged before ever the proceedings were started.

Colonel ASHLEY

Was this heavy fee paid to Lord Olivier because he was no longer a Socialist Cabinet Minister?

52. Colonel ASHLEY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why those Colonies visited by the Commission on the Sugar Industry in the British West Indian Colonies were obliged to pay all the expenses of this inquiry; what is the reason for this departure from the accepted practice that the British Exchequer should contribute its share of the cost; and what was the attitude of the non-official members of the legislatures concerned?

55. Dr. MORGAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to charge the expenses and disbursements in connection with the recent West Indian Sugar Convention to the different islands of the West Indies involved; and whether the basis of the proportionate charge will be the population, or total revenue, or relative importance of the sugar-cane industry in the respective colonies?

Dr. SHIELS

The decision to allocate the expenses of the West Indies Sugar Commission between the Colonies involved was taken with the concurrence of the respective Governments. The unofficial members were no doubt consulted by the Governors. I have no particulars of their attitude but I have no reason to suppose that they have opposed or will oppose expenditure upon a purpose so important to the Colonies concerned. The allocation was based upon the relative importance of the sugar industry in the various Colonies, the amount of time likely to be spent in each, and in the case of Jamaica, the additional time spent on the voyage. I am not aware that there is any settled practice in such matters.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Can the hon. Gentleman quote any precedents for the expenses of the two Commissioners sent out by the Secretary of State for the Colonies and paid special salaries being charged to the Colonial taxpayers and not to the British taxpayers?

Dr. SHIELS

Yes, Sir. There are a number of precedents, copies of which I shall be glad to show to hon. Members if they care to see them. One very recent case is that of Mauritius, where an inquiry on the same subject has taken place, and where the cost was borne by the Colony.

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