HC Deb 01 August 1951 vol 491 cc1440-1
27. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what qualifications must be possessed by the members of the committees which are to be appointed to secure closer co-operation between the Colonial Development Corporation and the peoples of the territories in which they operate; and when these committees will be appointed.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The qualifications necessary for membership of these committees are laid down in Section 7 (1) of the Overseas Resources Development Act. A committee appointed is to include persons having knowledge of the circumstances and requirements of the inhabitants of the territory obtained by their being or having been themselves inhabitants thereof or residents therein. It is for the Corporation to judge whether the appointment of such committees is needed and this matter is, I understand, being considered as part of the general review of the question of association with local peoples, to which I referred in my reply to my right hon. Friend's question on 18th July.

Mr. Rankin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the powers constituting these committees have been in existence for four years since the Act came into operation and that there is widespread disappointment that the Corporation have been so slow in appointing people to fill these positions?

Mr. Griffiths

The Board are anxious to set up these committees, and I am anxious that they should be set up as soon as possible.

Mr. Peter Smithers

Is this the organisation of which Mr. Dumpleton is in charge?

Mr. Griffiths

This is the work in which Mr. Dumpleton is engaged.

Sir H. Williams

I again ask the right hon. Gentleman, who represents the Turtle and Mangsee Islands on this committee?

Mr. Griffiths

I will answer that question if the hon. Gentleman will put it on the Order Paper.