29. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made by the West Indian comptroller and adviser in the study of social and economic conditions in British Guiana; and, in view of the unsatisfactory condition of the territory, will be cause early action to be taken to overhaul and improve the arrangements in this territory?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall)The Comptroller for Development and Welfare has submitted to the Governor of British Guiana his views on the development and welfare work which should be undertaken in that Colony, where he and his staff have very recently concluded their investigations. These include important recommendations on which it is now for the Governor to submit formal applications for assistance under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act. The attention of Colonial Governments has recently been drawn to the desirability of speed in framing and submitting applications for assistance under the Act, and certain suggestions were made to them as regards procedure which I am confident will obviate any avoidable delay.
Mr. Creech JonesMay I ask my hon. Friend if he will give some attention to the inadequacy of the machinery of government in this particular Colony, and to the fact that there are very considerable economic and social problems to be tackled, as well as to the inadequacy of the existing arrangements to cope with those problems?
§ Mr. HallMy hon. Friend will be aware that the Comptroller and his staff were appointed for the purpose of dealing with those problems, and he will see from my reply that the Controller has visited the Colony and his recommendations are now being considered.