§ 39. Mr. HURDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the purport of the representations he has received from the House of Assembly and legislative council of Barbados concerning the condition of the sugar industry in the British West Indies; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?
§ Dr. SHIELSI would invite reference to the reply returned on the 5th March 1312 to the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle), to which I am not at present in a position to add anything.
§ Mr. HURDMay I ask whether the hon. Member recalls the fact that that answer did not give the purport of the representations, and, in the second place, did not tell us what steps it is proposed to take in the matter. Seeing the desperate condition to which the West Indies are now reduced, may I ask whether it is not possible to do something in the way of increasing the preference?
§ Dr. SHIELSThere are a number of other questions on this matter, to which I am to reply later. May I say that these representations from Barbadoes said, in the first place, that the attention of the late Government was called to the condition of affairs in the West Indian Colonies, in January of last year, and it was suggested to them that an increase should be made in the preference. The late Government did nothing. In July of last year representations were made to the present Government. They have appointed a Commission to go carefully into the matter. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"] I am glad that hon. Members approve of that. The Commission has reported, and its report is now being considered. I can assure hon. Members that the interests of the West Indian Colonies, like those of the rest of the Empire, are safe with the present Government.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWill the hon. Member tell us when the Government will come to a decision?
§ Dr. SHIELSI am answering other questions on that point.
§ 51. Captain EDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report of the West Indies Sugar Commission will be published?
§ 52. Lord ERSKINEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, owing to the fact that the expenses of the Olivier Sugar Commission have been borne by the West Indian Governments, he will accede to their request that its Report should be at once published?
§ 53. Mr. HURDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the condition of the staple industry of the British West Indian Colonies and the fact that those Colonies are paying the cost of the Olivier Commission of Inquiry, he will yield to the desire of the Colonies that the facts disclosed in that respect should be no longer withheld from the public?
§ Dr. SHIELSMy Noble Friend is aware of the gravity of the situation and the natural anxiety of all concerned to know the outcome of the Government's consideration of the very difficult problems which it involves, but he is not yet in a position to authorise me to add anything to what he (has already stated in another place on this subject.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWhat are the reasons why this Report should not be made public?
§ Dr. SHIELSI do not think I have ever stated that the Report should not be published. What I have said is that the Report is at present being considered and in due course will be published.
§ Captain EDENMay I ask whether the hon. Member has noticed that the tragic seriousness of the position is emphasised in a letter in the "Times" this morning? May I also ask whether it is not the fact that the sole reason why the Report is not published is because it offends the fiscal gods before whom the Chancellor of the Exchequer would sacrifice the interests of the West Indies?
§ Lord ERSKINEIs not the fact that the expenses of this Commission are being borne by the West Indies Government a good reason why this Report should at once be published, although it may be inconvenient to Ministers in this country?
§ Dr. SHIELSI do not think the Report is not being published because it is inconvenient to Ministers. As I have said, this is an important Report and requires a good deal of consideration. I would point out that, while it is quite rightly described as an urgent matter, it is not a new one. In January of last year the late Government were unable to make any response.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWill the hon. Member undertake that the Report will 1314 be published in ample time for it to be considered by hon. Members of the House before the Budget is opened on 14th April?
§ Dr. SHIELSI shall be happy to represent what the right hon. Gentleman says to my Noble Friend.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREHas not Lord Olivier made it perfectly plain what is in this Report, and that it can be deduced from his speeches that the only objection to publication comes from the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Dr. SHIELSI am not responsible for the deductions which hon. and right hon. Members opposite draw.
§ Mr. HURDHas not the situation been greatly aggravated since the first period of which the hon. Member spoke by the announcement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to the probable action of the Government with regard to the Sugar Duties?