HC Deb 08 May 1962 vol 659 cc201-2
17. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement about Her Majesty's Government's financial contribution to the rehabilitation of British Honduras following the recent hurricane.

Mr. Maudling

Subject to the approval of Parliament, Her Majesty's Government have decided to make available to the Government of British Honduras aid totalling approximately £5 million. Of this amount about £1 million has already been incurred on emergency assistance immediately following the hurricane. Of the balance of £4 million, which will be spread over four years, £2½ million will be towards the general programme of reconstruction, and £1½ million towards the cost of building a new capital, subject to the approval of a satisfactory plan. If during the four-year period it appears that further funds will be required for reconstruction, Her Majesty's Government will consider making an additional contribution of up to £750,000.

Mr. Fisher

I was not quite clear from my right hon. Friend's Answer whether the new capital is to be reconstructed inland, for which so many of us have pressed, and which I believe would be generally acceptable to British Honduras. Will my right hon. Friend confirm whether this is so or not? If it is so, does he consider the sum of £1½ million which he mentioned in connection with the capital to be adequate to make a good job of this very important project?

Mr. Maudling

The case for the new capital is, clearly, a very strong one. Of the aid that we have in mind, £1½ million will be towards the cost of building a new capital. We are not providing all that we were asked for, but I think that the sums involved are fairly substantial in view of our other commitments in the form of aid overseas.

Mr. Fisher

Will the capital be inland?

Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

Can my right hon. Friend say how the sum compares with the assistance that we gave on the occasion of the last hurricane, some four years ago? I know from my visit there that that sum was very welcome. Will my right hon. Friend accept the congratulations of at least one hon. Member upon having extracted this substantial sum from the Treasury for British Honduras?

Mr. Maudling

I am afraid that I cannot say without notice exactly how the sums compare, but if my right hon. Friend would like to know, I will look up the figures and let him have them.

Miss Vickers

Is it proposed to put the new capital at the site 50 miles inland? If so, will my right hon. Friend encourage the use of the site? It is a very good one, and it would help to open up the country.

Mr. Maudling

I do not think that final decisions have yet been reached on the exact new site, but we must get that done soon.