§ 27 and 28. Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will make a statement about the Government's financial contribution for the rehabilitation of British Honduras, following the recent hurricane;
(2) whether he has come to a decision about the re-siting of the capital of British Honduras, in the light of the severe damage to Belize, following the recent hurricane.
§ Mr. MaudlingFinancial talks with the British Honduras delegation are in progress. I will make statements on both Questions after these discussions are concluded.
§ Mr. FisherWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is now about five months since this disaster took place and that no major work of reconstruction can even be begun until some decision is given? Will he expedite that decision? On my second Question, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that Belize was built on a swamp, is very much overcrowded, with no room for expansion at all, and that it might be wiser to rebuild it inland on somewhat higher ground? Can he give some estimate of the comparative cost of rebuilding on the old site, with a wall round to keep the sea out, which will probably be 1492 necessary, and rebuilding on a new site inland, which might be the cheaper of the two alternatives?
§ Mr. MaudlingWe have already provided over £800,000, and further bills are coming in, but the question of the capital is a very large one, involving many millions of pounds, and the question which my hon. Friend mentions is precisely one which we are examining at the present time.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of disquiet on this side of the House as well at some of the delay in reaching a final settlement with Mr. George Price? Will he do everything he can to hurry it up?
§ Mr. MaudlingYes, Sir, but I must point out that there are many millions of pounds involved in this and that before we provide money from this country to that extent we must be quite clear that we are spending it to the best advantage.