§ 25. Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what aspects of West Indian economic development Her Majesty's Government is at present tendering advice to West Indian authorities.
§ Mr. MaudlingOn the request of the West Indian authorities concerned, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary for Technical Co-operation, and I are always ready to advise them on any aspect of economic development in our respective spheres.
§ Dr. ThompsonIs the Minister aware that no permanent, long-term, political solution can be found for the West Indies until the problems of economic development have been solved, and that if we want to salvage a viable, politically purposeful Federation, we must tackle her economic problems immediately and purposefully?
§ Mr. MaudlingThere is a great deal to be said for that point of view.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanIn the event of the proposed measures not succeeding, and in the event of the representations which the Government have made to the United States of America—which the right hon. Gentleman told us about in a previous Answer—also failing, would he then advise his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to withdraw the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill?
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is difficult to imagine a more hypothetical question.