HC Deb 01 May 1940 vol 360 cc701-2
34. Mr. Levy

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what special measures he is taking to develop the resources of and to stimulate the production of wealth in the Colonial Empire, in view of the heavy charge upon our resources for war and the need of being prepared for economic conditions after the war?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The steady development of the economic resources of the Colonial Empire is a normal object of British Colonial policy, and in particular forms an integral part of the new policy on Colonial Development announced in the statement of policy on 20th February.

Mr. Levy

Can my right hon. Friend be more explicit than in a general statement of that kind in answer to my Question?

Mr. MacDonald

It will be difficult for me to be more explicit in regard to actual plans until we have the legislation through Parliament, but in the meantime we have asked the local governments to prepare five-year plans of development and that work of preparation is being undertaken.

Mr. Thorne

Could not the wealth of this country be increased when we have 1,000,000 men out of work?

Mr. Paling

Would not the wealth production of these places be better if the prosecution of the workers was dropped?