§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have considered the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Financial Structure of the Colonial Development Corporation and when they intend to announce their decisions regarding the various recommendations contained in the Report.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COLONIAL AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PERTH)Yes, my Lords, Her Majesty's Government have considered the Report with great care and attention, but I regret that I am not yet in a position to state decisions. There are substantial and difficult issues involved. These are receiving the close consideration of Ministers, but it may be a little while before an announcement is possible.
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply. May I ask him whether he is not acutely aware that the Report suggested that its recommendations, if accepted, should be made effective as from January 1, 1959, and that we are now well into 1960? May I ask him, further, whether he is aware that the lack of funds under the direct control of the Colonial Development Corporation for the express purpose of research and investigation work into new projects is hampering the development of the Corporation, and that I have received complaints about this very matter from members of a delegation from a Colony which has been here recently? Finally, 556 may I ask the noble Earl whether the Government would accept a Motion for debate in conjunction with the discussion of the Annual Report, which we may expect to be published quite soon?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I am very much aware that the Report said that the recommendations should be dated in the accounting sense as from the beginning of 1959. As I have said, this is a very difficult issue and raises questions which require proper consideration. Indeed, one of the reasons why we appointed the Committee with such eminent people as the noble Lord, Lord Sinclair of Cleeve, was because it was difficult; and even after their recommendations it needs a great deal of study. On the second question, which I do not think arises from the original Question, I should like to look into the particular case the noble Lord has mentioned, and perhaps get in touch with him direct. On the noble Lord's third point, I think my answer would be that, subject to the normal channels for arranging such debates, his suggestion seems to me to be an eminently reasonable one.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am sure the noble Earl is aware that this matter was last discussed on the initiation of a Motion by myself. The debate was on the Report of the Committee of the noble Lord, Lord Sinclair of Cleeve, and I hope the noble Earl is going to bear in mind that not only is the need urgent, as the noble Lord, Lord Hastings, has said, but also that for it to work satisfactorily it is important to have the consent of all Parties. That is most important. Perhaps we do not agree with every detail of the financial reconstruction which was suggested by the noble Lord, Lord Sinclair of Cleeve, but, because it otherwise does so much that we feel is necessary, we are prepared to accept it and go ahead with it. Surely the Government ought to be doing that now quite urgently.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I well understand what the noble Viscount has said as to the importance of this question, and I can assure your Lordships that it is for that very reason that we want to take care before we give our answers.
§ LORD SILKINMy Lords, while acknowledging the need for great care in this matter, as in all other matters, could the noble Earl say when the Government will be in a position to make a pronouncement? Is it a matter of weeks, months, years or centuries?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHI certainly hope not centuries, my Lords.
§ LORD SILKINCould the noble Earl put it a little nearer than that?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHIf it pleases the noble Lord, I hope in weeks.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, may I ask this question? Is the noble Earl's Department itself ready with this matter, and is the trouble only with the Treasury, or where is it?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHNo, my Lords, this is a question which concerns various Departments, and it is not that I would say one or the other is ready or unready. We are trying together to get the right answer.
LORD REAMy Lords, would it be too much to ask the noble Earl whether the Government look with favour rather than disfavour on this proposal, and that they are not turning it down?
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I am afraid that at this moment I cannot give any further indication. I am sorry.