§ 22. Mr. McGheeasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, arising out of his reply to a petition of over 2,000 signatories in Belize, who complained of the heavy indebtedness of the Colony of British Honduras and the need to establish new industries, any schemes of economic reconstruction have been recommended to him by the Government of British Honduras?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreBoth before and since the receipt of the petition in question, the Government of British Honduras has been engaged in the consideration of schemes for the economic development of that colony. During the last year financial assistance has been given from the Colonial Development Fund for improving means of communication and for the promotion of schemes for the development of fruit-growing. Exports of bananas have increased from 264,000 bunches in 1935 to about 1,000,000 bunches in 1937, and those of grapefruit from about 13,000 cwts. in 1934 to 19,000 cwts. in 1936.