§ 6. Mr. Boydenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the next Report on the Gambia can be expected.
§ Mr. FisherThe Gambia Report is published every two years. The next Report covering the years 1962 and 1963 should be available in 1964.
§ Mr. BoydenCannot the Under-Secretary issue a special report on those matters which are particularly relevant to the independence of the Gambia: namely, the dependence on Senegal, the improvement of facilities on the River Gambia and the future of the airport? Is he aware that on 4th March, when answering Questions, he said that all these matters were under consideration? Are they not of vital importance to the future of the Gambia?
§ Mr. FisherI am not at all satisfied with the speed with which these reports are produced. I have especially asked all territories to send reports to London as quickly as possible so that we may be more up to date in Parliament and I hope, as a result, that reports will be produced more quickly in future. Regarding the link between Senegal and the Gambia, 880 which is the big issue there at the moment, as the hon. Member knows, there is to be a United Nations team of economic, constitutional and fiscal experts to advise the Governments of both the Gambia and Senegal on the proposed union. That United Nations team is likely to report early next year.