HC Deb 08 May 1957 vol 569 cc947-8
3. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will request the principal auditor of the accounts of the Seychelles to submit a special report on the progress made in rectifying the faults and abuses revealed in his last annual Report; and if he will publish this report.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. John Profumo)

An informed judgment on these matters can be formed from the annual Reports, and I am satisfied that the production of a special report would not be worth while.

Mr. Swingler

Has the Under-Secretary of State read this Report, which is the last annual Report, produced in February, and is he aware that it reproduces almost exactly the same story as the previous annual Report— a story of incompetence, negligence and fraud? Cannot something be done to end these shocking abuses in the Seychelles, and will not the hon. Gentleman have a special inquiry made as to why the steps advocated by the auditor in annual Report after annual Report are never taken?

Mr. Profumo

I must immediately repudiate the charge of fraud. I am satisfied that progress is being made, and my right hon. Friend has every confidence in the ability of the present Administration.

Mr. Callaghan

Would it not be a good idea for testing out the possibility of sending a small all-party delegation to those islands to find out the facts in order to prevent these sort of allegations being made and denied without any conclusion ever being reached?

Mr. Profumo

I think that is a much wider question, but I have denied the allegation made by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Swingler

The Under-Secretary of State said that he refuted the charge of fraud. Would he turn his attention to page 4 of the auditor's official Report, paragraph 28, published in February, in which he said, in relation to the Public Assistance Welfare Department of the Government: The absence of such checks permitted the perpetration of fraud for some time in the Public Assistance and Welfare Department where payments of poor relief were apparently made to certain persons who were subsequently discovered to have died.

Mr. Profumo

I was speaking about the present position, and I am satisfied that progress is being made in the matter. I have nothing to add to what I have said.