§ 9. Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans he has regarding the future rôle of the Colonial Development Corporation in the West Indies after the Federation becomes independent.
§ Mr. H. FraserThe Colonial Development Corporation will, after independence, be able to continue with projects approved prior to independence, and also to undertake advisory and managerial functions at the request of the West Indian authorities.
§ Mr. FisherMy hon. Friend will be aware, as most hon. Members possibly are, of the C.D.C. conditions of operation in countries like Ghana and Malaya when they emerged to independence, but am I not right in thinking that there has never been laid down any immutable policy on this, or any firm statement that C.D.C. conditions of operating will necessarily and rigidly be applied in any and every country exactly as they were in those two countries? I hope my hon. Friend will not say that today but that he still has an open mind on the extent of C.D.C. operations.
§ Mr. FraserWe are bound to a large extent by the 1958 Act. There are, of course, other means of helping emergent territories which are more effective and appropriate—Commonwealth assistance loans and the various promises we have made to the West Indies in what is called the Manley Agreement, which continues to 1964.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that very inadequate answer is a reflection of the delays in coming to a decision about the future policy of the Colonial Development Corporation, and in the statement of future policy, promised very shortly, will not the Government seriously reconsider the policy of allowing the Colonial Development Corporation, which has played a very big role in the Caribbean, to go on beyond independence and to extend its operations?
§ Mr. FraserI do not want to anticipate my right hon. Friend's statement.