57. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to recent industrial disputes in British Guiana; what 921 steps are being taken to improve working conditions; and whether he proposes that the inhabitants should now be given some measure of real responsibility in the government of the Colony?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI am not aware of any recent industrial disputes in British Guiana apart from a small strike of seamen in September last, which has been settled satisfactorily. As regards the second part of the question, I have recently approved the setting up of a labour inspectorate whose duties will include the supervision of conditions of employment in the Colony. As regards the last part of the question, no proposals have been made to me for the amendment of the Constitution, but the question was considered by my predecessor in 1932 as the result of representations made by the elected members of the Council, and I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply returned by my predecessor to a question in the House on Wednesday, 16th November, 1932, of which I am sending him a copy. I am in entire agreement with the decision referred to in that reply that, at any rate as long as the Colony is in receipt of a grant from the Imperial Exchequer, His Majesty's Government must continue to exercise effective financial control.