HC Deb 17 March 1937 vol 321 cc2054-5
35. Mr. Barr

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will work out a scheme for the settlement of the hinterland of British Guiana with a view to meeting the serious overpopulation of certain West Indian islands, especially St. Vincent?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Such a scheme could only be worked out in consultation between the Governments of British Guiana and of any of the West Indian Colonies to which the hon. Member refers. If a practicable scheme of this nature were put forward, I should be prepared to give it careful consideration. I am sorry to say, however, that past investigations of the interior of British Guiana have given little encouragement to the hope of any considerable agricultural development, as the greater part of the country is virgin forest of exceptional density.