§ 35. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Government of Dominica abandoned its project of buying 600 acres of the Geneva estate, resulting in this acreage being bought privately and 368 tenants being given notice to leave; and whether he will advise the Government that this 600 acres should be bought in the interests of the tenants.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsAfter this estate had been sold privately, and notice to leave had been given to some 211 tenants, the Government of Dominica then proposed to purchase 600 acres compulsorily, but the project had to be abandoned because ex-tenants, whom the Government proposed to resettle on the land, declined to enter into tenancy agreements with the Government providing for reasonable rents and safeguards for good husbandry. The new owner has offered the ex-tenants contracts which about 60 have accepted. Many ex-tenants have land elsewhere. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.
§ Mr. HyndIs not my right hon. Friend aware that the tenants are nervous in case they are enslaved to the new owners of the property? Would it not be better that they should become the tenants of the Government?
§ Mr. GriffithsThis great body of tenants did not accept the offer of the Government, and, since they refused it, the Government are seeing that the new conditions are as good as they can be made.