§ 61. Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the British Honduras stock farms, operated by the Colonial Development Corporation, will show a loss of £85,000; whether he is aware that cattle are managed profitably by private farmers in the Colony, and of the bad effect in the Colony of such disastrous enterprises; and whether he will reconsider the effectiveness of the Corporation as a means of expending public funds upon development projects.
§ Mr. LytteltonI am aware of the facts which my hon. Friend recites in the first and second parts of his Question. On the last part, I am in close touch with Lord Reith's plans for improving the efficiency of the Corporation and have agreed with him that the Corporation should seek to be associated with either local or United Kingdom private enterprise, or possibly a Colonial Government itself, in the risks of any new projects. This will be a normal condition of my approving further capital.
§ 70. Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position with regard to the constitution and composition of the Belize City Council in British Honduras; and what prospect 177W there is of a speedy reversion to the previous composition and of an election by ballot to this council.
§ Mr. LytteltonAn election was held in March last. The Council is now composed of four members of the National Party, three members of the peoples United Party and two Independent members.