§ 22. Mr. Chatawayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans are being considered by the Government of British Honduras for immigration into the country; and what approaches have been made to the World Refugee Year authorities with regard to the immigration into British Honduras of refugees from Hong Kong and other territories.
§ Mr. AlportAt the recent Conference in London it was agreed that the central feature of economic policy for British Honduras should be planned immigration aimed at the creation of an agricultural economy based on small-holdings and large scale enterprises. It was recognised that much thought would have to be given to such a plan; and that very careful investigation over a wide field would be necessary to determine the 176 probable character, scale and rate of progress which could be achieved. As the first step, the British Honduras Government are considering the form of land tenure which should be the pattern for such an economy.
As regards the second part of the Question, the British Honduras Government agreed in principle last year to provide homes for carefully selected and agriculturally useful European refugees as part of their contribution towards the World Refugee Year. Since then approaches have been made both to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Director of the Inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration.
§ Mr. ChatawayAs immigration has been recommended, both in the Downie Report and for years previously, does not my hon. Friend agree that one might hope that in the very near future refugee immigrants will be allowed into British Honduras, particularly from Hong Kong, where there is a tremendous need for resettlement of refugees?
§ Mr. AlportIn the interests of the future of British Honduras, as indeed in all cases of this sort, this type of permanent immigration has to be very carefully considered and planned, if it is to be successful. I can assure my hon. Friend, who I know is particularly interested in this subject, that the problem of whether it would be possible to find any home in these territories for those from Hong Kong will be considered by my right hon. Friend.