HC Deb 16 June 1954 vol 528 c1951
39. Sir R. Acland

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, at future conferences of Commonwealth Finance Ministers, he will send an invitation to the Government of the Gold Coast to be represented at the discussions.

Mr. Lyttelton

The Gold Coast Government are normally invited, in common with the Governments of other territories, to send advisers to conferences of Commonwealth Finance Ministers at which it is my duty to represent the Colonial Territories.

Sir R. Acland

As the Gold Coast Government are advancing towards the penultimate stage of independence, would it not be a good thing to consider the representation of such a very large dollar earner as the Gold Coast on a rather more autonomous basis than through the Colonial Office?

Mr. Lyttelton

I cannot answer hypothetical questions. When the Gold Coast attains full independence this is a matter which will fall outside the sphere of my responsibility.