§ 36. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement as to the actual kind of work which is being done by the British Council in the West Indies; whether the recommendations made regarding a central library service in the West Indies by Mr. F. D. Gray and Mr. Harold Stannard, who were employed by the British Council in Barbados, Trinidad, British Guiana and Jamaica as cultural advisers, have been, or are being, put into operation; and whether these recommendations have been made public.
§ Colonel StanleyThe British Council undertake in the West Indies cultural activities designed to interpret British life and thought and to promote closer cultural relations with this country. These 844 activities include the provision and extension of library facilities. I understand that the Council are now considering a five-year plan for the extension of the Trinidad Central Library scheme to the Eastern group of West Indian territories and that, as a first step, eight librarians from various territories in that group, are being trained in Trinidad with the aid of scholarships granted by the Council. I also understand that the plan has been prepared in full consultation with all the interested parties concerned locally, but it has not yet reached a stage at which a public announcement by the British Council is contemplated.
Viscountess AstorAre the Government quite certain that the right people are at the head of the British Council? Some of us are a little doubtful.
§ Colonel StanleyI do not answer for the British Council; that is the duty of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the exhibition which took place here yesterday between two Members of this House, will not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman ask the British Council to come here and do a little cultural work?
§ Colonel StanleyI am afraid I missed that.