HC Deb 14 April 1937 vol 322 cc994-5
35. Mr. Maxton

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British subjects have been repatriated from Cuba to the various West Indian islands; and what steps have been taken to ensure them a livelihood in these islands?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

As the reply to this question contains detailed figures, and is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. But I may say that the total number repatriated from Cuba to British West Indian islands in the last two and a quarter years is 458 persons.

Mr. Maxton

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me the answer to the second part of my question, which will not be in tabular form?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

As regards the second part of the question, the Government of Jamaica has under consideration proposals for various schemes of public works which should provide employment for local labour. The Governor of Barbados reported in June, 1936, that there was not a great deal of employment in the Colony, and that various schemes of public expenditure, e.g., on waterworks and roads, provided work for a large proportion of the labour which was not engaged in agriculture.

Following are the figures:

Number of repatriations of British West Indians from Cuba since 1st January, 1935:

In 1935.
To Jamaica … 218
To Barbados … 3
To other Islands … 2
223
In 1936.
To Jamaica … 155
To Barbados … 10
To other Islands … 8
173
In 1937 (to 12th April).
To Jamaica … 28
To Barbados … 32
To other Islands … 2
62
Total … 458

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