HC Deb 07 July 1937 vol 326 cc325-6
15. Mr. Paling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information on the special reasons for the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the financial position of Northern Rhodesia?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The decision to set up a Commission of Inquiry was taken about nine months ago at a time when the adequacy of the Northern Rhodesian revenue to meet the growing demands for expenditure on desirable development was in doubt. The financial situation has since undergone a change for the better owing to the prosperity of the copper mining industry, but the inquiry is still necessary, particularly to advise on the economic development of the Territory and the distribution of its expenditure. It is for that reason that an agricultural expert has been appointed a member of the Commission.