HC Deb 25 February 1953 vol 511 cc2078-80
11. Mr, N. Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he will take to ensure that investment in the territories with which his Department is concerned is directed, in accordance with the conclusions of the Commonwealth Economic Conference, towards development projects which will earn dollars or save dollars.

Mr. Lyttelton

T have specially directed the attention of Colonial Governments to these conclusions of the Conference and I am confident that they will be guided by them in carrying out their development plans. I would remind my hon. Friend that the communiqué recognised the need for some basic improvement in the standard of living as a necessary foundation for further economic development.

Mr. J. Dugdale

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear to his hon. Friends and others that such steps have been taken constantly by the Colonial Office since the end of the war and that there is nothing particularly new about it?

Mr. Lyttelton

It is a matter of pace.

47. Mr. Alport

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many development corporations sponsored by Colonial Governments at present exist; and how far he has been able to decide whether these agencies are performing a valuable additional means of ensuring the opening-up of resources in individual territories.

Mr. Lyttelton

I know of 22 bodies of the kind mentioned which have been established by local legislation under various titles. I am circulating a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Many of them are confined to making loans for the promotion of industry or agriculture, but some undertake development projects direct. In general, I consider that these bodies make a useful contribution to developing colonial resources but, naturally, they vary widely in importance and efficacy.

Mr. Alport

Will my right hon. Friend say whether there is any regular cooperation between these colonial development corporations and the Colonial Development Corporation itself?

Mr. Lyttelton

Under arrangements which have been agreed with the Colonial Development Corporation, the Corporation seek on every occasion to get local participation in any schemes which they undertake.

Mr. J. Dugdale

Does not this show that public enterprise plays a very useful part in our economic activities in spite of the views of hon. Members opposite, who would like it to fail?

Mr. Lyttelton

I think the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is highly tendentious. He will not expect me to follow that electric hare this afternoon. Following is the list: The 22 bodies referred to are: Fiji 1. Industrial and Agricultural Loans Board. 2. Fijian Development Fund Board. Gold Coast 3*. Industrial Development Corporation. 4*. Agricultural Development Corporation. 5. Agricultural Loans Board. Jamaica 6*. Agricultural Development Corporation 7*. Industrial Development Corporation. Lee wards (Antigua) 8. Industrial Development Board. Federation of Malaya 9. Rural and Industrial Development Authority. Nigeria 10–12*. Eastern. Northern and Western Regional Production Development Boards. 13–15. Eastern, Northern and Western Regional Development Boards. 16. Colony Development Board. 17*. Lagos Executive Development Board. 18*. Cameroons Development Corporation. Northern Rhodesia 19. Industrial Loans Board. 20. Land Bank. Sierra Leone 21. Development of Industries Board. Uganda 22*. Uganda Development Corporation. * Undertake development projects direct.

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