§ 27. Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to reports of a 1136 debate in the Barbados House of Assembly during which the allegation was made that a highly placed Colonial official had referred in offensive terms to a coloured member of the Executive Council; if any inquiry has been made into the matter; and whether the official in question is still serving in the Colony.
Mr. Creech JonesThe Governor of Barbados has informed me that there is no foundation whatsoever for the allegation made in debate in the House of Assembly, on 27th December, last, that a member of Executive Committee had been referred to in offensive terms by a senior Government official. The member who made the allegation has been repeatedly asked by the official concerned to give particulars of the time and place of the alleged utterance, but has consistently refused to do so. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. John LewisCan my right hon. Friend say whether any official record is kept of the proceedings of the Barbados House of Assembly?
Mr. Creech JonesOfficial records are kept, but I cannot say without notice whether they are shorthand records.
§ Mr. SkinnardIs my right hon. Friend aware that the allegation was printed in the official record as kept by the local newspaper, as is the case in many of the West Indian Islands?