§ Mr. SUMMERBELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration will be given to the advisability of appointing an expert in irrigation to go out to British Guiana with the object of inquiring into and reporting upon the feasibility of irrigation and drainage schemes being undertaken?
§ Colonel SEELYAs I informed my hon. Friend in reply to his previous question on the subject of irrigation works, the present Colonial engineer was selected for the appointment on account of his knowledge and experience of irrigation works, and the Secretary of State is not aware-that the Government of British Guiana consider any further advice necessary at present; but he will address a communication to the Governor and ask for a further expression of his views.
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§ Mr. SUMMERBELLasked whether the Memorandum on the labour question in British Guiana by the People's Association has been received by the Committee of Inquiry into indentured labour and considered; and whether the Committee can now consent to hear witnesses from the People's Association in order to have the points contained in the Memorandum more fully brought out?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Memorandum has been laid before the Committee on Emigration from India, by whom it has been carefully considered. It will be fully discussed in the Committee's Report, and will appear in extenso in the appendix thereto; but it discloses no ground, in their opinion, for summoning a witness to give oral evidence on behalf of the Association. The Association have been informed accordingly.
§ Mr. SUMMERBELLasked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether he is aware that Mr. George Garnett, who has been provisionally appointed on the Executive Council of British Guiana, is agent for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company and director of Sprostons, Limited, and the Demerara Railway Company, all of which are contractors to the Government of British Guiana; and whether he will state the conditions attaching to the appointment of a member of the Executive Council?
§ Colonel SEELYMr. Garnett has been appointed to be a temporary member of the Executive Council during the absence of an unofficial member of the Council. The Secretary of State is aware of his connection with the business enterprises mentioned, which was brought to his notice by the officer administering the Government when recommending the appointment, and does not regard them as constituting any disqualification. I may add that Mr. Garnett is the senior elected member for Georgetown in the Court of Policy and has recently been elected to the Town Council of Georgetown. There are no special conditions attaching to the appointment of a member of the Executive Council.