§ 26. Mr. McGheeasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the purpose of the exchange of land which has recently taken place in British Honduras between the Government and the Belize Estates and Produce Company; and whether he is satisfied that this exchange was in the public interest?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe purpose of this transaction is to settle a long-standing dispute between the Government of British Honduras and the Belize Estate and Produce Company, Limited, as to the ownership of certain lands on the western frontier of the Colony. I am satisfied that this settlement is in the public interest.
§ Mr. McGheeIs it true that the land received by the Government has been completely denuded of saleable trees?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI would like notice of that question.
§ 27. Mr. McGheeasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount proposed to be spent during the coming year in British Honduras on building houses for officials and on paying their passages when on leave?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe only sum provided in the Estimates of British Honduras, 1937, for building houses for officials is $1,500 for quarters for a police sergeant. Proposals for constructing quarters for five senior officials at a total cost of $57,000 are under consideration in the Colony, but no decision has been reached. No "leave passages" are provided from public funds in British Honduras.