§ 24. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the public meetings which have recently been held in the western part of Kingston, Jamaica, complaining of the deplorable local housing conditions and the shortage of houses, and asking that a substantial grant should be made from the Colonial Development and 1346 Welfare Fund to deal with the problem; and what action is being taken.
§ Colonel StanleyMy attention had not been called to these meetings, but I am aware of the urgent necessity of improving housing conditions in Jamaica. I am prepared to make assistance available under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act for housing to the extent of a proportion of the cost as a free grant and of the balance as an interest bearing loan if the loan portion cannot be raised locally. Expenditure of £100,000, to be treated as a free grant, has already been authorised, and further substantial expenditure is contemplated.