HC Deb 21 February 1951 vol 484 cc1283-4
40. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet arranged for the Gold Coast and Sierra Leone Governments to publish the report of the Co-operative Mission which, at his invitation, visited those Colonies in 1949.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The Sierra Leone Report has been published. As regards the Gold Coast Report, the Governor considers that publication at this juncture might hinder rather than help the carrying out of the recommendations of the Commission, which is now being actively pursued. The report was made to the Governor, and publication is in his discretion.

Mr. Keeling

Should not the Sierra Leone report have been published without pressure from the House? Is it not a waste of money to send out this Commission and then to suppress their report?

Mr. Griffiths

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that these Commissions are appointed by the Governor in consultation with His Majesty's Government, but the publication of reports has always been at the discretion of the Governor, which I think is right.