§ 18. Mr. Henry Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the estimated increase in the cost of living on the Seychelles during the last three years.
§ Mr. StonehouseFifteen per cent.
§ Mr. ClarkWill the Minister outline to the House the steps which are being taken to keep in check the inflation which is causing this increase in the cost of living? Will he also make certain that the report on the cost of living, which he has refused to publish, is made available to the Salaries Commission which 1164 is now sitting to deal with Civil Service claims for increases which have been outstanding for three years, so that the Salaries Commission can back-date any awards which it makes?
§ Mr. StonehouseI will certainly bear those suggestions in mind.
§ Mr. James JohnsonIs my hon. Friend aware that those of us who take some interest in colonial matters regard the Seychelles as perhaps the most depressing of the dependent territories left in our care? Will he consider some time the sending out of a high-powered Commission to look at this place, to do something about it with a view to helping the workers, the cost of living and the whole economic set-up?
§ Mr. StonehouseI have just returned from the Seychelles and I agree with the view which has just been expressed. I assure the House that we are taking urgent steps to improve the position there.