§ 36. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in providing a satisfactory 264W water supply to the inhabitants of the Gold Coast territory.
Mr. Creech JonesProgress has been good and, now that more staff and materials are becoming available, will be accelerated. A scheme for the improvement of water supplies in rural areas of the Gold Coast under the provisions of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act was approved early in 1944. By the end of May this year, 53 wells and seven dams had been completed under this scheme, and 57 wells and three dams were under construction. A number of men were being trained in well construction for employment by the Native Administrations. It has recently been decided to press on more rapidly with the scheme now that more staff and materials are becoming available, and in addition to the £100,000 provided from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds, it is expected that some £400,000 will be allocated to rural water supplies from surplus balances in the Gold Coast during the next ten years.