§ 50. Mr. Manderasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the purpose and scope of the mission recently sent to the British Virgin Islands; whether he will give an assurance that the inhabitants will be informed and consulted before any decision is taken; and to what extent it is hoped to develop economic relations with the island of St. Thomas?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall)I presume that the hon. Member alludes to the United States Economic Mission, headed by Mr. C. W. Taussig, which visited the Virgin Islands in the course of its tour of the British West Indian Colonies. The object of the Mission was to study social and economic conditions in the British West Indies in order to assist them in considering similar problems in the American islands. There was no question of any proposals or decisions, and the second and third parts of the Question do not therefore arise in this connection.