§ 59. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date the draft Estimates for Antigua were despatched to him from the island; on what date he gave his approval for these Estimates; and whether he will make a statement about this delay.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. John Profumo)The 1957 draft Estimates were despatched from Antigua on 24th October, 1956. They were discussed in London with the Administrator and one of the Colony's Ministers between 17th and 24th November and a decision was reached on the grant-in-aid for 1957.
The Estimates as passed by the Colony Legislative Council were received in the Colonial Office on 15th January and approved on 26th March. The most important stage in the approval of the budget was the prompt decision on the grant-in-aid which enabled the Antigua Government to present its Estimates to the Legislature in December and to incur necessary expenditure at the beginning of the financial year.
§ Mr. JonesIs it the case that the final Estimates approved were substantially less than the original Estimates submitted, and will the hon. Gentleman publish in HANSARD what particular services were reduced in cost?
§ Mr. ProfumoI will consider the hon. Gentleman's Question.