§ 20. Sir W. Teelingasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the revision of the emoluments of administrators temporarily granted in 1960 will be settled; whether it will include increased staff for administrators doing the work of governors without sufficient staff; and, in view of the climate in the Caribbean, whether it will include replacement of rotting furniture in public rooms of Government Houses and amenities such as air conditioning now to be found in less important official buildings.
§ Mrs. WhiteI assume that the hon. Member is referring to administrators of the Leeward and Windward Islands. Their 1268 emoluments are in no sense temporary. There has been legislative provision for them since 1960. The revision of these emoluments now in train will be subject to the concurrence of the Governments and Legislatures of the territories. The staff of administrators and the amenities of their residences are also matters for these Governments.
§ Sir W. TeelingDoes the hon. Lady realise that it is nearly six years since this problem arose and that these wretched men have to carry on as if they were governors, with depleted staffs, especially at the time of the Queen's visit there? Is she aware that it is costing an immense amount of money and causing a lot of difficulty regarding the furniture in these Government houses, for which they have no means? Does she not agree that we must do something about this?
§ Mrs. WhiteI am very sorry, but it is not part of the responsibilities of Her Majesty's Government. I have already dealt with some of those points in a Written Answer to the hon. Gentleman last week.