§ 67. Mr. D. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information about the deadlock which has been reached in Antigua, concerning this year's sugar negotiations; and whether the Government concerned is now prepared to adopt the recommendations of the Malone Report respecting the purchasing of the sugar lands by the Government.
§ Mr. LytteltonThere is no deadlock. Negotiations on the wages of the sugar workers were concluded amicably and reaping started on 30th January. A brief strike occurred in the sugar factory 125W on 2nd February, but was quickly settled and work resumed on 6th February. The acquisition of certain lands belonging to the Antigua Syndicate Estates, Ltd., and leased to peasants, forms part of the Government's land settlement programme about which I wrote to the hon. Member. The financing of this programme is now under consideration.