§ 60. Mr. DONNERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, after 529 such experience as has been obtained, he is now in a position to reconsider the future of the present annual governors' conference with a view to increasing executive authority?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe functions of the East African Governors' Conference were clearly defined in the 1932 White Paper on the Joint Select Committee's Report (Cmd. 4141). The conference serves a very useful purpose and meets as and when required, but experience hitherto confirms my belief that it would be neither advisable nor practicable to give it executive authority.
§ 61. Mr. DONNERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the budgetary position of Tanganyika and Kenya, he will consider whether steps can be taken to pool resources and revenue generally, especially railway and customs revenue, in so far as this is possible under the League Covenant and the mandate for Tanganyika?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAny practicable proposal for the administration of the three East African Territories to better economic advantage, is certain of sympathetic consideration both by the governors (individually or in conference) and by myself. I see no prospect, however, of deriving any such advantage from the pooling of financial resources on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend, even if such a step could be shown to be practicable.
§ 62. Mr. DONNERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the now more favourable attitude of British and Indians alike throughout East Africa generally towards closer cooperation between the territories, he is in a position to consider whether any further steps can be taken at a reasonably early date towards closer economic, political, and constitutional co-ordination?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe problem as it presents itself to me is how to secure the maximum of cooperation while preserving the political integrity of the three territories as recommended by the Joint Select Committee. This problem is constantly under review; and the recent amalgamation of the postal services and the creation of a transport advisory board afford instances 530 of what can be and is being done in this direction.
§ Captain P. MACDONALDIs there not a considerable amount of co-operation at present between the East African Colonies?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, Sir, I am glad to say that the closest possible co-operation exists, and I think it is true to say that no departure in economic or transport policy in which more-than one territory was concerned would be initiated without consultation between the territories affected.
§ 64. Major MILNERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a report of the East African Governors' Conference at Entebbe; and what decisions were arrived at on the recommendations of the Bushe Report on the administration of justice in East Africa?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, Sir. The decisions arrived at on the Bushe Report are set out in my despatch of the 12th November, which the hon. Member will find in the Library, and which has been published in the several territories.