§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the latest position following the strike of sugar cane workers in British Guiana; what action has been taken to control the spread of sedition throughout the country; and when the Commission of Inquiry is expected to report.
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Mr. Creech JonesThe settlement mentioned in my answer to the hon. Member on 22nd September has been successful and there has been a full return to work. As regards the second part of the Question, I am satisfied that the Government of British Guiana is alive to the necessity of prompt action to deal with any activities which may contravene the laws relating to sedition. The Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry is expected to leave for British Guiana at the beginning of December. Its report will, I hope, be available fairly early in 1949.
§ Mr. H. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the terms of reference of the Commission appointed to inquire into the position of the sugar industry in British Guiana; who are to be members of the Commission; and what are their qualifications for this work.
Mr. Creech JonesThe terms of reference for the Commission are as follow
To inquire into and report on the organisation of the sugar industry in British Guiana, with special reference to means of production, wages and working conditions, and any other relevant matters, and to make recommendations.The Commission will consist of Dr. J. A. Venn, President of Queen's College, Cambridge, as Chairman, and Mr. Richard Sudell. Dr. Venn has since 1921 been University Lecturer at Cambridge in the History and Economics of Agriculture, and was Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1941 to 1943. He is a member of the Scientific Council of the International Agricultural Institute, Rome, and Chairman of the Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Agricultural Wages Board. Mr. Sudell is a trained agriculturist, a trade unionist and an agricultural journalist.