HC Deb 17 June 1954 vol 528 cc2277-8

The following Questions stood upon the Order Paper:

79. Mr. BRAINE

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in reorganising and reshaping the Colonial Civil Service; and whether he will make a statement.

80. Mr. ALPORT

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the reorganisation of the Colonial Service.

At the end of Questions—

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Oliver Lyttelton)

With permission I will now answer Questions Nos. 79 and 80.

Her Majesty's Government have reached certain conclusions in regard to the reorganisation of the Colonial Service. A full account of the proposals seemed too long for inclusion in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and I have therefore arranged for them to be published today as Colonial No. 306. Copies of this paper are now available in the Vote Office.

Mr. Braine

While not wishing to anticipate the contents of the White Paper, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend is aware that many people in this country and in the Colonial Service will wish to congratulate him on the speed with which he has acted in this matter, following the representations which were made to him?

Mr. Lyttelton

I hope that my hon. Friend will be able to renew his congratulations when he has examined the White Paper.