§ 14. Mr. F. O. Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in acquiring land for the land settlement in St. Kitts.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe Governor of the Leeward Islands has submitted proposals which are at present under consideration.
§ Mr. RobertsCan the right hon. Gentleman say when it will be possible to make a further announcement?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreIt is very largely a question of finance. The existing land settlement scheme was only carried out with the help of the Colonial Development Fund, from which a part of the cost was paid, amounting to about £4,000.
§ 15. Mr. Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any wage-fixing machinery exists in the island of St. Kitts; and whether wages have been increased since the date of the increase of the preference on sugar in 1932?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreLegislation has recently been enacted enabling the Governor of the Leeward Islands to fix a minimum rate of wage for any occupation in St. Kitts or in any other Presidency of the Colony. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that the wages and salaries of employés of the sugar factory were increased in 1932, and that in the case of field labourers a bonus was distributed on some cane-growing estates in 1934.
Mr. Creech JonesIs not this a matter which the Colonial Office itself might pursue, with a view to seeing that, once an Ordinance has been passed, it is actually put into operation?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThat, obviously, is in the first instance a matter for the local Governor. I can only assent to the Act, once it is passed.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI receive fairly regular reports from time to time.
§ Mr. BennWhen the right Gentleman says that it is for the Governor to operate the Act, does he mean that he himself has no responsibility in the matter?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNo, but the power rests in the Governor to put the Act into operation, and it is for the Governor to act.