§ 8. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what requests for financial assistance Her Majesty's Government have received 666 from the Government of British Guiana to enable claims arising from damage suffered in the recent riots to be met in full.
§ Mr. MaudlingNone, Sir.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopWhile I thank my right hon. Friend for that somewhat foreshortened reply, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is confident that the resources available to the Government of British Guiana are sufficient to meet all reasonable claims resulting from the riots?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think that that is a matter for me. British Guiana is now internally self-governing and it is really for them to deal with this matter. The question asked whether any claims had been put to us. None has been put to us.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has yet set up the commission of inquiry on these riots?
§ Mr. MaudlingNot yet. I hope to get some names firmly settled in the course of a few days.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopIs my right hon. Friend aware that I wrote to the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations on this matter and that the letter was passed to my right hon. Friend? Can he, therefore, explain his lack of responsibility in this context?
§ Mr. MaudlingYes, Sir. British Guiana is a fully internally self-governing Colony.