48. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what further reports he has recently received from the Governor of Jamaica on the poor nutrition, bad housing, and intense poverty of masses of people in Jamaica and regarding the underfeeding and undernourishment of children; and what immediate steps are being taken to deal with the causes of the present social and economic distress?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI would refer to the reply given by my Noble Friend on 23rd February to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers). No further reports have been received since then. With regard to the second part of the question, the Government of Jamaica is endeavouring by various means to stimulate the local production of milk and other animal and vegetable products of high nutritive value. Practical education on proper nutrition is now being given at a number of schools throughout the island, at which midday meals are provided for the children.
Mr. Creech JonesWill the right hon. Gentleman notice that I am not dealing with industrial effects but social effects, and has he not received representations from the Governor in view of the statement which was made in this House that 24 very few of the children in Jamaica were undernourished and underfed? Has any correction been made of that statement to the Governor because of the enormous trouble that may be created in the Island?
Mr. MacDonaldThe hon. Gentleman asks what reports have been received recently. The answer is that no further report has been received since my Noble Friend answered on a previous occasion.
§ Mr. Benjamin SmithHas the right hon. Gentleman had access to the Press this morning where he will notice that serious trouble is likely to arise in Jamaica?
Mr. MacDonaldI think that the position is no doubt food for thought in many ways, but if the hon. Member is going to believe everything in the Press this morning he will be very much misled on many questions.