§ 33. Mr. T. Reidasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many West Indian emigrants can be settled under the Evans Settlement Commission in British Guiana.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Rees-Williams)No precise estimate is possible. The Commission consider that, "if all their recommendations can be fully implemented" about 100,000 men, women and children, including about 25,000 adult workers might be absorbed in British Guiana and British Honduras over a period of some 10 years. Probably about half that number would be in British Guiana.
§ Mr. ReidMay I ask whether my hon. Friend proposes to select from this bulky report, practical schemes which may alleviate the over-population in the West Indian Islands?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Attercliffe (Mr. J. Hynd) on 3rd November.
§ Mr. DribergIn view of the desperate over-population and unemployment in some of these Islands, such as Jamaica, can my hon. Friend say how soon the ten-year period he refers to is likely to start?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI cannot say that until the negotiations now proceeding between the Governments of British Guiana and British Honduras and also the 361 Colonial Development Corporation have proceeded some way further than at present.