§ 24. Mr. Lunnasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on any measures to be taken to meet the demand for reform in Trinidad, in particular in regard to the questions of federation with the neighbouring Colonies, the social services, the nationalisation of the oil industry, reform of municipal government, the position of the small cane-farmers, and the payment of members of the Legislative Council?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe many matters in question have been recently brought to my notice, and I am communicating with the Governor of Trinidad with regard to them severally. I cannot, therefore, make any comprehensive statement covering so many points in reply to a Parliamentary Question.
§ Mr. LunnWill the right hon. Gentleman communicate with me when he gets a reply from the Governor as to what is the position with regard to these points?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe hon. Gentleman sees that it covers almost all the points which can be raised in regard to Trinidad, 356 and they are identical with the points drawn to my attention by Captain Cipriani when he was over here. They raise matters of the Constitution, the oil industry and many other matters which cannot be dealt with by means of Parliamentary Question and Answer.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreCertainly.
§ Mr. LunnWhen the right hon. Gentleman gets information of importance, will he let me know what it is?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreGladly.
§ Mr. LeachWhile the right hon. Gentleman says that these points have only recently been brought to his attention, does he not recollect that some of them were introduced 15 years ago?