§ Major Lyonsasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in response to his circular despatch of 9th September addressed to all Colonial Governments on the necessity for savings, he is satisfied that, without exception, all Colonial territories are co-operating with him to the full extent in arranging facili- 1836W ties for the purchase of local war bonds and certificates by all alike, and giving the necessary publicity thereto?
§ Mr. George HallThe circular despatch to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers is, I think, the despatch signed by my Noble Friend and dated 5th June this year. This circular, which stressed the need to mobilise all available resources for the prosecution of the war, urged that the position should be reviewed in each Colonial territory, but did not call for any reports as to the action taken. I can at present add little to the reply that I gave to the hon. and gallant Member's Question on 20th November last, when I stated that my Noble Friend had reason to be satisfied with the response of Colonial Governments to earlier suggestions in regard to war loans and savings certificates, and that arrangements had been made to supply them with current literature for the purpose of propaganda. Colonial Governments have since been asked to report periodically the amounts that they have collected through the issue of war bonds or certificates and also the amounts offered for loan to His Majesty's Government free of interest. There is no reluctance, indeed there is the greatest zeal, among Colonial Governments and Colonial peoples to do their utmost to advance the war effort.