HC Deb 22 December 1938 vol 342 cc3114-5W
Miss Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received the report asked for last summer from the new Governor of St. Helena upon the conditions in that island; and, if so, whether it contains recommendations for improving its trade, industry, and provisions for education and the relief of poverty and sickness?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I have received a despatch from the Governor of St. Helena outlining his proposals for the rehabilitation of the island. I will arrange for a copy of the despatch to be placed in the Library of the House. Since its receipt more specific recommendations from the Governor have reached me and action has already been taken to give effect to a number of these, including approval for a subsidy to enable the flax mills to reopen, for assistance on a loan basis to small property owners for the repair of houses, for the improvement in wages of Government employes, and for the appointment of a superintendent of education. Various other proposals are under active consideration.

Sir R. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the present depressed condition of industry in St. Helena; whether he proposes to take any action in the near future to assist that colony by aiding, in particular, the hemp industry and the tourist industry; and whether any consideration has been given to the desirability of increasing the present garrison?

Mr. M. MacDonald

Yes, Sir. The depressed condition of industry in St. Helena is receiving my constant attention and I have recently approved a subsidy to enable the flax mills to reopen. As regards tourist traffic, I am glad to be able to say that the Union Castle Steamship Company are arranging for their ships always to call at St. Helena during the day-time so as to enable tourists to proceed on shore and to visit places of interest in the island. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.