29. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps are being taken in British Colonial territories to improve defences and air depots; what proportion of the cost of this work is being borne by the respective colonies; and whether he can give an assurance that, considering the economies in native welfare work, education, and social services until recent years, grants for such work will continue to expand?
§ The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)Colonial Dependencies are responsible for local defence measures, and at the present time they are fully alive to the necessity of improving their defences, as far as their financial means allow. In certain Dependencies where there are Imperial garrisons or defended ports, the local governments assist by contributions towards the cost of the garrisons, by providing land and by raising local units. In all cases, when determining the sums which a colonial Dependency can afford to expend on defence, the needs of the local social services are taken into account.
Mr. Creech JonesIn view of the very limited resources of many of these territories, and the severe economies which native welfare has suffered in recent years, should not grants be made increasingly available for native welfare work so that it is not stultified by these defence works which are going on everywhere?
§ Mr. MacDonaldI think that the answer indicates that social servcies are interfered with as little as possible. They are one of the primary concerns in considering the whole question.