§ 29. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what changes have taken place in the administrative staff of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe approved establishment of administrative posts has been reduced from 19, in 1946 and in 1950, to 16 in 1955.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a well-known missionary who has just left the Islands has made allegations about the swollen nature of the administration, saying that there is far too much paper work and far too few officials going out into the field to see the indigenous people? Will he make a statement on that?
§ Mr. HopkinsonI can only say that I have no reason to think there is any truth in those allegations at all. Indeed, as far as concerns the general allegations made by Captain Hughes—to whom I think the hon. Gentleman is referring—the London Missionary Society has informed my Department that two or three of their teachers who are on the teaching staff in New Zealand have written a letter in very strong terms, which I could quote to the House, in which they deny all those allegations.