§ Mr. Palingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many houses have been erected in connection with the Kingston, Jamaica, housing scheme; what progress has been made with the land settlement scheme; how many unemployed persons has it provided work for; has any new industry been started; what amount of relief work has been provided for the unemployed; and how many persons have been found employment on such work?
Mr. M. MacDonaldWith regard to the Land Settlement Scheme, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I am giving to another question by the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley). I am arranging for a copy of a report on the progress of the scheme to be placed in the Library of the House within a few days.
With regard to the rest of the question, I am not at present in a position to furnish the full details asked for, but I am asking the Governor for the latest information, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have received it.
§ Mr. Palingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the reasons for the new law recently passed by the Legislative Council of Jamaica giving power to restrict the right of public meeting and processions at the will of the Governor; whether the new law makes the actual congregating into a crime; can anyone who joins a prohibited meeting, even by accident, be fined or imprisoned; and was the Bill passed through all its stages in a single day?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have been informed by the Governor that on account of a hooligan and criminal element in Jamaica which is always ready to take advantage of any unrest, it is considered essential that the Governor should have2274W power to prohibit street meetings during times of tension. The Public Meetings Law, which was enacted on the 23rd June, gives him these powers. Pending receipt of a copy of the law, which is expected shortly, I am unable to answer the second and third parts of the question. The answer to the fourth part is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the widespread discontent prevalent in Jamaica at the slow progress of the land settlement scheme for unemployed workers decided upon in June, 1938; that up to 17th May, 1939, not one unemployed worker had been provided with an allotment; that the condition of the scheme providing that the applicant must deposit, on application, not less than one-tenth the capital value of the holding is preventing unemployed workers without means submitting applications; and will he urge the government of Jamaica to waive this condition in the case of suitable unemployed applicants who are not in a position to pay the initial deposit?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI am aware that complaints have been made, but do not regard them as justified. It was not possible to raise in this country a loan to provide funds for the scheme until January last; since then matters have been advanced as rapidly as possible.
The new scheme is not one for the benefit of unemployed only, and I am unable to say how many of the settlers in the 664 families who have already been settled under the scheme were unemployed when the scheme was launched.
The regulations provide that in special cases the payment of the initial deposit of one-tenth of the purchase price may be deferred for a period up to two years. But I am asking the Governor whether he is satisfied that the scheme in practice is benefiting unemployed people as much as is desirable.