HC Deb 21 October 1953 vol 518 cc1962-3
33. Mr. Braine

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the Report of the International Bank on British Guiana was made available to the British Guiana Government: and what action they took on it.

Mr. Lyttelton

As stated in the White Paper, the Report was available to the Government in mid-July. I understand that Ministers took no action on it.

Mr. Braine

Does not this answer make it pretty plain that these Ministers were much more concerned with promoting conditions which would lead to the destruction of the Constitution than with accepting a scheme which would lead to the economic development of the Colony?

Mr. Lyttelton

I must make the same reply to my hon. Friend as I made elsewhere, though I shall try to expose in full the situation in British Guiana tomorrow.

Sir R. Acland

Has not a very long time elapsed between the publication of this Report on British Guiana and the availability of any copy of it in this country? I do not think a copy is available even now. On future occasions, could not a copy at least be placed in the Library a little quicker?