31. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the adoption of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the West Indies; who is the new controller; and what other appointments have been made?
§ Mr. George HallAs my Noble Friend announced in another place on 2nd July, he has selected for the post of Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies, Sir Frank Stockdale, Agricultural Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whose distinguished service in the West Indies and other Colonies admirably fits him for this task. The selection of Mr. A. J. Wakefield, Director of Agriculture, Tanganyika Territory, to be Inspector-General of Agriculture for the West Indies, was announced on 22nd May. The selection of advisers on labour, public health, education and social welfare is proceeding, and I hope that announcements may be possible before very long regarding some or all of these posts. These appointments, together with the financial provision in the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, form the basis on which action can be taken on the recommendations of the West India Royal Commission. In the meantime, Governors have furnished most valuable material regarding the application of the recommendations to the particular problems of the territories for which they are responsible, and consideration of this is proceeding.