§ 9. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what offer of financial aid has been made to Trinidad on her independence; and what are the terms of this offer that have made it unacceptable to the Trinidad Government.
§ Mr. TilneyOur offer of financial aid to Trinidad and Tobago was described in the Answer which was given on 27th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Mr. Maddan). I understand from Press reports that the reason why the Government of Trinidad and Tobago rejected this offer was that they considered it inadequate.
§ Mr. ChapmanHas it not been clear far a long time—I, for example, talked about it at length in the debates on the independence of Trinidad—and everyone is saying it at the moment—that Trinidad was desperately wanting a considerable housing loan, and that this would help both to house the people there and remove unemployment? If this were done and if the figure asked for was too great, why did not the Government cut some red tape and offer some money themselves and arrange privately for the total loan to be made available from private sources in this country?
§ Mr. TilneyI do not agree that the offer was unduly small. The public purse is not bottomless and the offer that was made per capita compares very favourably to the offers made to other countries.
§ Mr. HealeyWe deplore the fact that the Prime Minister of Trinidad should have rejected the offer, even if it was too small, but would he not agree that it is a deplorable reflection on the state of relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of this newly independent State that there should be an open rupture and harsh things said by the Prime Minister of Trinidad, as happened the other day?
§ Mr. TilneyI think that harsh things are said between Governments from time to time, but we still have very friendly relations indeed with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. I personally have very happy memories of being present at the independence celebrations of Trinidad and Tobago. The British offer still stands.
§ Mr. HealeyIs the hon. Gentleman telling the House that he is satisfied with the relations between the two Governments in the light of what Mr. Eric Williams said the other day? Does not he feel that is a serious reflection on the Government's conduct of relations between the two States that this should have happened?
§ Mr. TilneyI do not agree. I think that we have made a very fair offer. I only wish that this country were rich enough to offer more, but as I have said, the public purse is not limitless.
§ Mr. ChapmanIn view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.