§ 6. Mr. H. WILLIAMS (for Mr. HANNON)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any action is contemplated by His Majesty's Government for closer union through centralised administration in the West Indies?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERA motion for the adoption, as they stand, of the proposals of the Closer Union Com- 193 mission has been debated in the legislatures of the Windward and Leeward Islands. Having regard to the divergence of opinion expressed, more especially in view of the additional expense involved as indicated in estimates placed before the legislatures, I have reached the conclusion that it is not practicable to proceed with a scheme of closer union at present. The question of adopting certain recommendations made by the Commission in regard to the composition of these legislatures is receiving further consideration.