HL Deb 09 February 1961 vol 228 cc497-9

3.11 p.m.

LORD COLYTON

My 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 the Colonial Development Corporation's financial commitments to the Cameroons Development Corporation will permit of a review of the position in the event of the South Cameroons deciding, at the forthcoming plebiscite, to federate with a foreign State.]

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, political changes in the Southern Cameroons of that kind would not of themselves affect the Colonial Development Corporation's financial investment in the Cameroons Development Corporation, but should circumstances then so develop that the state of the Cameroons Development Corporation's affairs is materially altered, the Colonial Development Corporation are in a position to reconsider their commitments.

LORD COLYTON

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, I would ask him whether he is aware that out of the £3 million which I understand the C.D.C. are committed to give to the Cameroons Development Corporation only £100,000 has so far been paid. May I ask him whether he will ensure that the Colonial Development Corporation will watch with the greatest care to make sure that when, in due course, this very large sum of taxpayers' money is paid to the Cameroons Development Corporation, regard will be had to the interest of the taxpayers of this country?

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, I believe that the figure which the noble Lord has mentioned is correct, but I also understand, in that connection, that the fact that they have drawn only that amount of money is because they have been "scraping the barrel" of local funds and have been using such funds in the work they are doing. On the second part of his supplementary question, I am sure we can be satisfied that the Colonial Development Corporation will use all their usual discretion and care in the spending of the funds which are available to them.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether he agrees that the Colonial Development Corporation should observe the general rule whereby any scheme which has been begun in a dependent territory is completed after the territory becomes independent, whether or not it joins another territory—in this case the French Cameroons? May I ask also whether the noble Earl does not agree that the United Kingdom should cooperate with France, and of course the United States, in the economic development of West Africa?

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, as a general rule, I think your Lordships all know that the Colonial Development Corporation are empowered to carry through what they have started. In this particular case there may be, as I said in my initial Answer, some special state of affairs arising which will make them look to see whether it is a wise thing or not. With regard to the second question, I agree with the noble Earl that it is of the greatest importance that the three Western Powers he has mentioned should all co-operate in the development of West Africa.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl for a further reply to the first part of my question? Is the reason why the Colonial Development Corporation may not continue to operate economic or political?

THE EARL OF PERTH

If the noble Earl will refer to my original Answer to the Question, I think he will see that I said that political changes in the Southern Cameroons of that kind—that was, in the event of their federating with a foreign State—would not of themselves affect the Colonial Development Corporation's financial investment there, but should—

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Earl.