§ Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action, if any, has been taken on the recommendation of paragraph 54 of the report of the Commission on Disturbances in Barbados, namely, that a Royal Commission be appointed to investigate the whole question of emigration throughout the West Indian Colonies?
Mr. M. MacDonald:The question of emigration from Barbados is bound up with the general situation in the West Indies which, as I stated yesterday, is receiving my very careful consideration. As regards a Royal Commission on this particular subject I would refer to the reply which my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Clay Cross (Mr. Ridley) on 23rd February. As I have stated, a scheme for the settlement of some 475 Barbadian families in St. Lucia is on the point of completion and, on the advice of the Colonial Government, it is proposed to await the response to this scheme before embarking on further emigration schemes.