HC Deb 22 November 1963 vol 684 cc147-8W
Mr. Bourne-Arton

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about the effect of the independence of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago on British financial assistance to the University of the West Indies and its teaching hospital.

Mr. Sandys

Until August, 1962, the British Government contributed from colonial development and welfare funds the whole of the cost of the approved capital development programmes of the University of the West Indies and about 90 per cent, of that of the University Hospital.

Following the independence of Jamaica and of Trinidad and Tobago in August, 1962, it was possible, under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts, to continue to contribute from CD. & W. funds, in respect of benefits to dependent territories in the West Indies, towards the completion of the capital development programmes of the university and hospital which had been approved for the five year period ending in July, 1963. But we were empowered to do so only provided that the two independent Governments undertook to bear a reasonable share themselves. I am glad to say that these undertakings have been given and our contributions in respect of the dependent territories are accordingly being continued. The British Government have agreed to give the Governments of Jamaica and of Trinidad and Tobago sums equivalent to their contributions to these programmes. These two institutions will in effect be receiving from the British Exchequer contributions to these programmes at the same level as if there had been no change in the constitutional position of Jamaica and of Trinidad and Tobago.

Reimbursement will be made to Jamaica from funds already provided under the Commonwealth Grants and Loans Vote. Reimbursement to Trinidad and Tobago will be made initially by means of an advance from the Civil Contingencies Fund and Parliament will be asked, in due course, to approve a Supplementary Estimate. The cost to British funds will be approximately £372,000 in reimbursements to Jamaica and £320,000 in reimbursements to Trinidad and Tobago.