HC Deb 03 May 1939 vol 346 c1871
55. Mr. Riley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement as to the present position of the project of the Government of Barbados to settle approximately 1,000 persons in land settlements on the island of St. Lucia, in the West Indies?

Mr. M. MacDonald

Land has been acquired for the settlement of Barbadian immigrants in St. Lucia, and the necessary preliminary work is now being carried out by the Barbados Land Settlement Company, which was formed by the Government of Barbados for the execution of the scheme. It is contemplated that some 475 Barbadian families should be settled under this scheme.

Mr. Riley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the labourers preparing the site for this scheme are St. Lucian inhabitants. What is to occur when the immigrants from Barbados arrive?

Mr. MacDonald

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, we do not anticipate that any difficulty will arise.

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