HC Deb 23 June 1948 vol 452 cc133-4W
24. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been made for the review of the terms of repayment of the advances made to Fiji by His Majesty's Government during the war, in connection with defence expenditure in that Colony.

Mr. Creech Jones

My hon. Friend has, no doubt, in mind the interest-free advances, totalling some £2,000,000, made to Fiji from the Vote of Credit in the years 1943–46. The question of the repayment of part of the advances was left over for review after the end of the war. It has now been decided that, having regard to the very substantial amounts spent from its own funds by the Fiji Government on defence expenditure during the war, the advances shall be converted into a free grant.