§ 1. Mr. Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what proposals have been made by the Governments of the High Commission Territories for pension or other schemes for old age, disability, and blindness.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the then Under-Secretary of State, my right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble), to the hon. Member for Bristol, South-East (Mr. Benn) on 25th October of last year.
§ Mr. BrockwayThings have happened since then. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Union of South Africa has now introduced pensions for old age, disability and blindness? Cannot we at least do something similar in our British Protectorates?
§ Mr. AlportHer Majesty's Government are anxious to improve the standard of social services in any way that is possible in accordance with the economic conditions of the territories, but, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman will admit, it is important that economic development should be the precursor of any elaboration of the social services, because without a basis of economic development it would be impossible to carry them very far.
§ Mr. BrockwayI would not admit that.