HC Deb 11 April 1961 vol 638 c9
10 Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the financial review of the Colonial Development Corporation.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I expect to be able to make a statement within a fortnight.

Mr. Thomson

Is the Secretary of State aware that it is exactly two years since the Sinclair Committee was appointed by his predecessor to report on this matter? The Sinclair Committee did the real donkey work in three months, but twenty-one months later the Government still find themselves unable to declare their policy. Is not this a disgraceful delay?

Mr. Macleod

I cannot quarrel with the hon. Member's mathematics. I am sorry that I have not been able to make a statement earlier, but all the important matters of principle are now agreed and we are devoting ourselves to tidying up one or two smaller matters. I will make a statement within a short time.

Mr. Thomson

Since the Minister has had such a long time to think about this matter, will he consider, in his statement, dealing with the general policy question of the area of operations of the Colonial Development Corporation?

Mr. Macleod

I could not hold out any hope that there will be any change in long-established Government practice in that regard.