44. Miss Rathboneasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the grave situation in the Colony of St. Helena as regards unemployment, low wages, and lack of any kind of social insurance or workmen's compensation, he will consider the desirability of arranging either for the intended Royal Commis- 2187 sion to the West Indies to proceed to that Colony also, or for some other form of special inquiry regarding its affairs?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe adoption of the first of the hon. Member's suggestions would not be feasible. With regard to the second, the new Governor is now engaged in a thorough examination of the problems of the Island, and I expect to receive a report from him in due course.
Miss RathboneWould an inquiry by the Governor create the same feeling of confidence as an inquiry by an impartial body from this country? In view of the long-established loyal character of this Colony, would it not be as well to deal with these conditions before they lead to the same sort of occurrences as they have led to in the West Indies?
Mr. MacDonaldThe new Governor has been appointed because of his qualifications for carrying out this investigation, and, of course, there can be no question at all of his complete impartiality.