§ 42. Mr. Rentonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to persuade unemployed people in the West Indies to migrate to those parts of the Commonwealth where their services are most needed and where they are likely to be most easily assimilated with the local population.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am not sure what countries my hon. Friend has in mind. So far as concerns the Caribbean area, the possibilities of settlement in British Guiana and British Honduras were examined by the Evans Commission in 1948, but its report, together with the subsequent investigations, did not hold out any prospects for the immediate future.
§ Mr. RentonIs not my right hon. Friend aware that there are some countries of the Commonwealth which are underdeveloped and underpopulated? Would he not do all he can to persuade unemployed Jamaicans to go to such countries rather than to come to this country, which is fully developed and overpopulated?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am always ready to discuss with hon. Members of this House, and of course with the Government of Jamaica, ways and means of finding alternative work for the people of these overcrowded Colonies in some other part of the British Commonwealth.
§ Mr. G. ThomasIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the best place for these people is their own home, and that work ought to be provided there? Otherwise, we shall make for ourselves a legacy such as we have reaped as a result of the years when Welsh people were driven from their land.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am well aware of the need to see that there is development of work in Jamaica, and I am glad to feel that there will be some Jamaicans left in Jamaica, just as there are Welshmen in this House.