HC Deb 15 December 1954 vol 535 cc1764-5
29. Sir R. Acland

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give particulars of the United States experts who are serving the Government in British Guiana under American Point Four or analogous arrangements, together with a general description of the nature of the work on which each is engaged.

Mr. Hopkinson

As the reply covers eight people, it is rather long, and I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir R. Acland

If it is a good thing—and personally I think it is—that we should get foreign experts to help us in the Colonies, would it not be better to get them from the proper place, the United Nations organisation, rather than to go to one country only for them?

Mr. Hopkinson

The funds available to the United Nations for this purpose are very limited and have to be distributed over a very large area. This help is available from the United States and I think we are right, as does the Governor of British Guiana, to take advantage of it.

Following is the reply: The following American specialists are giving technical assistance to British Guiana under arrangements made by the Foreign Operations Administration which were the subject of an exchange of Notes between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States: — Mr. W. A. Laflin, Acting Director, Foreign Operations Administration Mission to British Guiana: administrative direction of the American Mission. His successor as full-time Director is Mr. C. S. Macaulay, who was due to arrive in British Guiana on 14th December. Mr. F. J. O'Brien, construction engineer, and Mr. H. Mackey, architect: assisting the Government of British Guiana in carrying out its housing programme. Dr. Theo Vaughan, agricultural extension and community development specialist: assisting in carrying out self-help housing schemes. Dr. Gerard Bourbeau, chief Soil Survey technician: preparing, in conjunction with the Director of Agriculture, the soil survey programme which it is proposed should be carrried out by F.O.A. technicians. Mr. R. Kelly, administrative officer of the University of Maryland, and Mr. Denver Green, administrative assistant, Foreign Operations Administration: administrative duties in connection with the execution of the technical assistance programme.