HC Deb 27 March 1974 vol 871 cc446-7
36. Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the total value of funds placed with the Crown Agents for investment by Governments of British dependent territories.

Mrs. Hart

The holdings of the British dependent territories amounted to approximately £309 million at the end of January.

Mr. Cunningham

Will my right hon. Friend accept my congratulations, on the ground that she has just answered a Question in identical terms to one which I put to her predecessor some months ago which he categorically refused to answer? Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is deep resentment that British colonial funds are going into property investment in this country through the medium of the Crown Agents? Does she further agree that it would be a good thing if the investigation of the activities of the Crown Agents by the Select Committee on Overseas Developments in the last Parliament were to be continued in this Parliament?

Mrs. Hart

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his congratulations. It would not be proper for me to comment on what the Select Committee might or might not in its wisdom choose to do. I assure my hon. Friend that I am taking further the inquiries which I originally initiated into the Crown Agents, but it will take some time to reach a conclusion, as my hon. Friend will no doubt understand.