HC Deb 09 February 1949 vol 461 cc367-8
38. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Commissions have reported on conditions in the West Indies; and what steps have been taken to implement them.

Mr. Creech Jones

I give the information asked for in respect of Commissions appointed since 1938.

  1. 1. The West India Royal Commission, appointed in 1938 (Cmd. 6174). A statement of action taken on the recommendation of this Commission was presented to Parliament in 1945 (Cmd. 6656).
  2. 2. The West Indies Committee of the Commission on Higher Education in the Colonies (Cmd. 6654). The University College of the West Indies was inaugurated last year as recommended by this Committee.
  3. 3. The British Guiana-British Honduras Settlement Commission (Cmd. 7533). The recommendations of this Commission are under close examination, and I would invite the hon. Member's attention to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker) on 17th December, 1948.
There have also been a number of specialist inquiries into matters affecting particular Colonies.

Sir Peter Macdonald

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the House can expect to have the Soulbury Report on conditions in the Leeward Islands and other islands?

Mr. Creech Jones

That is another question, but I hope it will be available very shortly.

Mr. Davies

Will my right hon. Friend give special attention to the Clement Jones Report on shipping in the West Indies which makes a specific request for greater refrigeration capacity and inter-island communications?

Mr. Creech Jones

Yes. I replied to that question on Friday. The matter is receiving attention, as is also the provision of cold storage arrangements in the Island under their development plan.

39. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Commissions are now sitting to report on the West Indies; and on what subjects.

Mr. Creech Jones

A recent Commission studied the sugar industry in Trinidad and in the Leewards and is now preparing its reports in London. Another Commission is at work on the same industry in British Guiana. The West Indian Standing Closer Association Committee of the local Legislatures is at present preparing a practical scheme for federation, while two associated inquiries are proceeding into a customs union and the unification of the public services.