HC Deb 23 November 1949 vol 470 cc350-1
27. Major Ramsay

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the benefits he expects British Honduras to experience as a result of His Majesty's Government's policy not to devalue the British Honduras dollar.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Rees-Williams)

The British Honduras dollar has been linked by law with the U.S. dollar since 1894. Largely because so much of the Colony's imports (at present about 70 per cent.) come from American account countries, no change was made in this position last September.

Major Ramsay

Is not the Under-Secretary of State aware that unemployment in British Honduras is on the increase, and that development such as is envisaged in the Evans Report will not have a chance of success unless some provision is made for this arrangement?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I understand that on the whole this decision has received a welcome in British Honduras.

Major Ramsay

As the facts that the Under-Secretary of State and I have appear to differ very widely, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter again as soon as possible on the Adjournment.

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