§ 35. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has arranged for the electorate of the British Cameroons to be informed, before the forthcoming plebiscite, as to the future of the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund money in their Territory.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Hugh Fraser)Not explicitly, but the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts will of course cease to apply when the British Cameroons ceases to be a Trust Territory, as it will whatever the result of the plebiscite.
§ Mr. TilneyWould my right hon. Friend make sure the Cameroon electorate are made aware that £2¼ million have been spent in the last five years? Will he also tell the House how much money has been spent in recent years in the North Cameroons?
§ Mr. FraserThe figure is not particularly relevant to the plebiscite, but it is announced and people in the Cameroons are aware of these facts.
§ Mr. CallaghanRather than draw the attention of the population to the shortsightedness of the Administration, would it not be better for the present Minister to ask Parliament for powers so that the Colonial Development Corporation could go on investing new money in these Territories?
§ Mr. FraserThis is a question of ceasing to be a Trust Territory and either going in with the Cameroons Republic or Nigeria.