HC Deb 24 May 1944 vol 400 cc737-8
39. Mr. Edmund Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken for the provision of employment to unemployed workers in British Honduras; and whether arrangements have been made to allow labour to be recruited for the U.S.A. and are there already in operation.

Colonel Stanley

My last information indicated that relief works to absorb some 700 men were likely to be required, and it was proposed to employ these on the construction of two roads. It was anticipated that these measures would provide work to last several months. As regards recruitment for the United States of America, my information is that it was hoped to secure shipping for some 1,000 forest workers from British Honduras. I am asking the Governor to let me have the most recent information on these two points, and I will communicate it to the hon. Member on receipt.

Mr. Harvey

May we take it that there is no objection to recruitment for work in the United States?

Colonel Stanley

As far as we are concerned, we are only too anxious for it to happen, but it depends, of course, on the United States.