§ 2. Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated expenditure by the Government of British Guiana during the next quinquennium upon workers' housing; and what proportions of this are allocated to urban and to rural housing, respectively.
§ Mr. HopkinsonTwo million eight hundred thousand pounds is allocated for Government low-cost housing in the revised five-year development plan; about 60 per cent. is for urban housing. The greater part of this sum will be absorbed by the initial programme for 4,500 houses, and further provision may be required.
§ Mr. MarquandIs the right hon. Gentleman really satisfied that either the total amount or the very large percentage to be devoted to urban housing is satisfactory? Surely, in view of the great need for resettlement of the growing population, there should be an increase in the amount and a revision of the percentages?
§ Mr. HopkinsonIt is certain that a further development of the housing programme will be required and that further financial provision will also be necessary. I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that, of course, in addition to these Government houses, the Credit Corporation is making loans available for those who wish to build for themselves, and then there are further houses being constructed by the sugar companies.
§ 3. Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons in British Guiana have been rehoused during the last twelve months, or other convenient period, in new areas on the coast land or riversides which are to be used for farming.
§ Mr. HopkinsonNone, Sir, but arrangements are nearing completion for the acquisition of new areas on the coast lands and riversides where houses will be built and necessary clearing and improvements to drainage carried out as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MarquandIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with this achievement? Will he bear in mind what I suggested to him some time ago, that it is the lower ranks of the administration who are lacking in this Colony; and now that a new Governor, to whom we all wish success, is going out there, can he do something to build up the lower ranks in the administration so that progress in these matters can be accelerated?
§ Mr. HopkinsonI am aware of the deficiencies in the administration, and we will certainly do our best to remedy them. On the actual issue of the resettlement of lands which have to be reclaimed, there have been great difficulties about titles and other matters which have had to be overcome, but I know very well from my own visit there how important it is to press on with land settlement in British Guiana.
§ 4. Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that thousands of workers in British Guiana, now being assisted to build their own houses on sugar estates, are unlikely in future to secure sufficient employment to enable them to maintain these houses; and the policy of the Government of British Guiana on this matter.
§ Mr. HopkinsonAccording to my information, the number of sugar workers rehoused so far is not in excess of future labour requirements but the position will be carefully watched. A survey is shortly to be made, with the assistance of the International Labour Office, to find out the extent of unemployment and underemployment on the sugar estates. The policy of the British Guiana Government is to develop other resources which will support the population, and in particular by major drainage and irrigation schemes to provide new land for agricultural settlement.
§ Mr. MarquandIf all the information is not available to the right hon. Gentleman, will he study the statement which has recently been made by Dr. Giglioli, a great expert in the sugar industry, who has suggested that rationalisation and mechanisation in the sugar industry is so reducing employment prospects that many of these people who have built their houses with aid from the sugar companies may find themselves unable to maintain them?
§ Mr. HopkinsonYes, Sir. I am aware of that statement. That was why I said that the situation would be very carefully watched. So far we do not think that the provision outruns the demand for housing.