HC Deb 24 May 1950 vol 475 cc2042-3
40. Mr. A. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the economic difficulties which have followed devaluation in British Honduras; and what action has been taken.

Mr. Dugdale

I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for the New Forest (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre) on 14th March, from which it will be seen that the devaluation of the British Honduras dollar was necessary in order to counteract economic difficulties which already existed. It was appreciated that devaluation was bound to entail some rise in the cost of living, and arrangements were made to offset this by the extension of price control and the provision of food subsidies.

Mr. Brockway

May I ask my hon. Friend whether one of the actions taken was to introduce an emergency Act on 15th February, and whether that Act can now be withdrawn?

Mr. Dugdale

That is quite another question.

Mr. Brockway

I asked what action had been taken.

Mr. Dugdale

It has certainly been introduced, but the question of its withdrawal is quite another matter.