HC Deb 10 March 1943 vol 387 cc655-6
38. Mr. Riley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet come to a decision regarding the setting-up of a Joint Standing Advisory Colonial Committee consisting of representatives of both Houses of Parliament; and whether he is aware of the strong support given to the setting-up of such a Committee by Sir Hubert Young, ex-Governor of Trim-dad and Tobago, recently?

Colonel Stanley

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full statement made on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Minister Resident in North Africa in the Debate on 26th November last, to which at present I have nothing to add. I am aware of the views expressed by Sir Hubert Young.

Mr. Riley

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind the repeated requests that were made in this House regarding the setting-up of a Committee, and also the pre-eminence and urgency which Colonial problems will occupy in post-war times, and will he consider the matter from that angle?

Colonel Stanley

Yes, Sir, I am very cognisant of that, but this is really not a matter you can deal with by question and answer. It was fully dealt with in this Debate, but I would point out that, although the hon. Gentleman asked for an Advisory Colonial Committee, Sir Hubert Young asked for a Joint Standing Committee, which would have full responsibility for formulating all plans and leave no responsibility either to the Secretary of State or to the House of Commons as a whole,