§ Mr. SUMMER BELLasked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he is aware that various improvements are being carried out in Belmont and Woodbrook, Port of Spain, and are being paid for by agreement, one-third by the landlord, one-third by the town, and one-third by the Government; that the landlord's share, in every case, is being paid by the tenant, the land- 1709W lord thus actually contributing nothing; and, if so, whether it is the intention of the Government, in view of this, to give to the tenants compulsory rights of purchase, on the basis of the present rental?
Colonel SEELY: The Secretary of State is aware that certain improvements to the streets and drainage are being carried out in Belmont and Woodbrook, Port of Spain; the manner of payment is, however, not exactly in accordance with the facts stated in my hon. Friend's question. In Belmont the ratepayers, who are not necessarily the tenants, are responsible for the repayment of a quarter of the sum of £29,000 raised for the purpose of these improvements. This amount (£7,250) is repayable by an annual rate not exceeding £2 per centum on the rateable value of houses and lands. The remaining three-quarters (£22,250) is repayable one-quarter by the Port of Spain Town Board and the rest by the Government. In Woodbrook the improvements which, when completed, will cost £15,000, are being paid for one-quarter (£3,750) by the ground-owners, Messrs. Siegert and Sons, one-quarter by the Town Board of Port of Spain, and the remainder by the Government. In the case of Belmont the action taken is the result of the ratification by the Legislative Council of the recommendations of a special committee, which were embodied in Ordinance 20 of 1907 and Ordinance 19 of 1908. In the case of Woodbrook, the action taken is the result of the recommendations of the late Governor of Trinidad, adopted by the Legislative Council, and embodied in Ordinance 19 of 1908. So far as the Secretary of State is aware, there is no intention on the part of the Trinidad Government to give in either case to the tenants compulsory rights of purchase on the basis of the present rental.