§ 17. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken to improve the sanitary conditions in Belize, British Honduras.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe Colony's Development Plan includes provision for an investigation and the preparation of plans for an up-to-date sewerage system. This was not one of the schemes put forward by the British Honduras Government for provision of funds this year, but they intend to give it high priority in their future programme.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs the hon. Member aware—I am sure he must be—of the real urgency of this matter and the impossibility of further progress with health considerations in Belize until this job is tackled? Will he put it to them, as they put it to me, that this is a matter of first priority?
§ Mr. ProfumoYes, and as they put it to me as well; and the result—not the result but the fact—is that the revised development programme contains provision for £12,500 in order to make a start on the work.
§ 18. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when a suction dredger will be delivered to Belize in 564 British Honduras to enable land to be drained for urgent housing development.
§ Mr. ProfumoPurchase of a suction dredger was not one of the schemes put forward by the Colony for provision of funds this year. However, when I was there recently I learned that they want to place an order now and this proposal is being examined very urgently.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopCan the hon. Gentleman give any date for delivery, as all housing development of that kind depends on it and people are building houses right in the swamp?
§ Mr. ProfumoNo, I am afraid I cannot give a date.