§ 43. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by whom in the Seychelles Colony the decision was made to loan £30,000 to His Majesty's Government; whether the description of this sum as surplus to requirement signifies that all necessary social services and requirements are operating and are not in need of expansion.
Mr. Creech JonesTwo loans, of £15,000 and £22,500 respectively, have been made by the Seychelles Government. These were approved by the Executive and Legislative Councils. The loans came from Seychelles Government general Revenue balances, which are at present lying idle but will be needed ultimately to meet the cost of expanding services at present financed from the Colonial Development and Welfare Vote. The loans are repayable as and when required.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes it mean meanwhile that nothing could be done in Seychelles with this money on behalf of the African people there?
§ Sir T. MooreIs it not in any case rather ungracious and ungenerous to look this generous gift horse in the mouth like this?