§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement as to the report of Professor Richardson on the economic conditions of Bermuda: what steps are being taken to implement the recommendations of the report; and what steps are being taken to prepare similar plans for other West Indian Colonies?
§ Colonel StanleyI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 18th May to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams). I then explained the nature of Professor Richardson's work in Bermuda. The taking of action on the recommendations of the local Economic Advisory Committee over which Professor Richardson presided is a matter for the Government of Bermuda, and I understand that a good many of the committee's recommendations have already been put into force. As regards the last part of the Question, it has not hitherto been necessary to set up similar machinery in the West Indian Colonies to deal with current problems, but if the hon. Member has in mind the preparation of plans for future development he is no doubt aware that that is the primary task of Sir Frank Stockdale and his advisers, in collaboration with the Colonial Governments.