31. Mr. Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the first meeting of the Anglo-American Carribean Commission is to be held; what agenda of business is to be covered; and whether unofficial delegates will be present from each territory.
§ Colonel StanleyI presume the hon. Member is referring to the West Indian Conference held under the auspices of the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission as, of course, the Commission itself has been meeting regularly since March, 1942. This Conference was opened yesterday, and it is hoped that it will be the beginning of a long and fruitful international collaboration. I will circulate details of the agenda in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.
Mr. FraserWill this conference consider ways and means of dealing with the labour in the West Indies which will soon be released as a result of the completion of constructional work on defence jobs?
§ Colonel StanleyYes, the second item on the agenda of the conference is the re-absorption into civil life of persons engaged in war employment.
§ The Agenda is as follows:
- (1) The raising of nutritional level by (a) local food production, (b) expansion of fisheries;
- (2) The re-absorption into civil life of persons engaged in war employment;
- (3) The planning of Public Works for improvement of agriculture, education, housing and public health;
- (4) Health protection and quarantine;
- (5) Industrial development;
- (6) The Caribbean Research Council and possibilities for its expansion.