HC Deb 26 February 1947 vol 433 cc2064-5
37. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the West Indian Colonies now have development officers; and if he will take steps to appoint a development officer to each such Colony who can give his undivided attention to preparing schemes of development.

Mr. Creech Jones

Jamaica has a Secrezary for Development, whose duties have included the preparation of the 10-year development plan for that Colony. British Guiana has an Economic Adviser, who has been largely engaged on the study Qt the financial side of development planning. In other West Indian Colonies, the task of preparing development plans has been entrusted to local development committees. In all, the services of the Comptroller for Development and Welfare and his advisers are freely available to assist in the work of planning and in the preparation of detailed schemes. I have always in mind the strengthening of the general planning organisation, but I am satisfied that it would not be an economic use of the available experienced staff to appoint an individual full-time development officer in each West Indian Colony.

Mr. Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that these officers have sufficient powers to enable West Indian Colonies to recover from the adverse economic effects of the war?

Mr. Creech Jones

They are there to give advice, and, so far as possible, whenever a Colony wants technical advice we are only too ready to offer it