HC Deb 05 June 1946 vol 423 cc1994-5
36. Captain Sir Peter Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what negotiations for a unified decimal currency for the West Indies are taking place; what recommendations have been received; and whether any decision has yet been reached.

Mr. George Hall

A conference held in Barbados in May between representatives of the Colonies in the Eastern Group of the West Indies recommended that a uniform decimal currency should be introduced for British Guiana, Trinidad, Barbados, the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands, the chief unit being the existing British West Indian dollar. I have not yet received a full report of this conference, the recommendations of which will be examined by the Colonial Governments concerned and by His Majesty's Government before any decision is made.

Sir P. Macdonald

Does the Minister think that it will be possible to extend it to other Colonies in the West Indian group if the system is adopted?

Mr. Hall

A number of other Colonies in the West Indies were invited to the Conference but they thought they would prefer not at present.