HC Deb 17 December 1948 vol 459 cc228-9W
Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take to implement the Evans Report.

Mr. Creech Jones

I have discussed the developments recommended by the Commission with the Governor of British Guiana and the Governor-designate of British Honduras. I made reference to some of the steps being taken in the Adjournment Debate on 10th December. I have had some preliminary discussion of the proposals in the report with the Colonial Development Corporation, which is already examining the British Guiana timber project.

Much preliminary investigational work will be required before any large scale operations can begin. This is especially the case in British Guiana, where development depends on the provision of improved communications into the interior. As a first step a consulting engineer will leave for British Guiana at the end of this month to examine the possibilities of dredging the Bar, which at present limits shipping, at the mouth of the Essequibo river. Steps are also being taken to institute a ground and possibly aerial survey of the route for an all weather road from Bartica to Potaro, with a branch to Tiboku on the middle Mazaruni, and to draw up detailed specifications and costs. Agreement has been reached with the Governor to establish agricultural stations in the Potaro and Muzaruni areas to conduct cocoa and other crop trials there. A reconnaissance soil survey will also be carried out as soon as possible.

In British Honduras the Colony's feeder road programme has been revised in the light of the Settlement Commission report. The revised proposals have recently been approved and work will be started forthwith.

I indicated in the House on 10th December that I have decided provisionally to earmark about £2 million, from Colonial Development and Welfare general reserve, as a contribution towards implementing the Commission's proposals. I have in mind that this could be used:

  1. (a) for the investigations and trials which are now being instituted and for other similar trials;
  2. (b) for improvements in Social Services in British Honduras on the lines recommended by the Commission;
  3. (c) to enable at least a substantial start to be made later with road construction in the interior of British Guiana if the surveys and crop trials show that the resulting economic activity would justify the cost.