§ 77. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why a compassionate grant of £50 per annum was made to the widow of an inspector of works in the public works department, Gold Coast, who had retired on a pension in 1923, and £10 per annum to his son; and whether this action will be taken as a precedent to be applied, where necessary, to the relatives of deceased officials without discrimination between white and coloured races?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)It is already the established practice that appeals for assistance from the dependants of officers who have served under a Colonial Government are considered on their merits by the Government concerned. The case referred to, which was one of real distress, was dealt with in accordance with this practice. There is no question of any racial discrimination in this matter.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I take it that the right hon. Gentleman and his Department and this particular colony of the Gold Coast will meet the case of the coloured races as well as the white races?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreAs I have said, these are cases of special grant and they cannot be dealt with here because the circumstances are not known. They are dealt with by the Colonial Government concerned, and, as I said in the answer, there is no question of any racial discrimination.