§ 4. Mr. JOHNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any system of old age pensions or of unemployment relief in Grenada; and, if not, whether he will urge their introduction?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)There is no system of old age pensions or unemployment relief in Grenada, and having regard to the conditions obtaining in the colony, I should not feel justified in present circumstances in urging the Colonial Government to introduce such measures. I am informed by the Governor that during the last two years a sum of approximately £30,000 has been paid in wages in connection with public works, and that there has been no need to initiate any special relief work.
§ 5. Mr. JOHNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the amount of the water rates and of taxes on land and house property in Grenada and in 173 Barbados, respectively; and whether houses under any particular rent are exempted in either colony?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have had a statement prepared giving the information, so far as it is available in my Department. The statement is very long, and I am therefore sending it to the hon. Member personally.
§ 6. Mr. JOHNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the House information as to the system of poor relief in Grenada, its adequacy for the needs of the poor, and its administration through the local police; and whether the free hospital accommodation is sufficient for the demand?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAs the reply enters into some detail, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ Poor Belief and Hospital Accommodation in Grenada.
§ A sum of £800 is provided in the Colony's Estimates of Expenditure in respect of outdoor poor relief. This relief is administered through the police force for purposes of economy. The Governor reports that this system has worked well in the past and, in the absence of a parish system such as that obtaining in neighbouring West Indian colonies, is the only alternative to the setting up of an ad hoc organisation for this purpose. The cost of administering this relief, apart from the salary of the police lance-corporal in charge of inquiries at headquarters, amounts to only 8s. 4d. a month.
§ Indoor relief is afforded by an institution containing accommodation for 32 men and 26 women, and by the Hamilton Alms House, with accommodation for six women, towards which the Government provides an anual grant of £30.
§ The Colony Hospital contains 129 beds in all, of which 102 are for non-paying patients. It became necessary in 1932 for reasons of economy to limit departmentally the number of free patients to 60, save in so far as it may be necessary to exceed this total in the event of emergency or epidemic or for other reasons.
174The Governor reports that he is satisfied that the existing system meets local necessities to a very large extent. He also reports that, in view of the considerable public interest recently aroused in respect of the administration of both indoor and outdoor relief, he appointed towards the end of December last a commission to inquire into the matter with the following terms of reference:To inquire into the method by which Indoor and Outdoor Belief is administered by Government and to make such recommendations in connection with this administration as the Commissioners shall think fit, having due regard to the financial position of the Colony.