HC Deb 20 June 1956 vol 554 cc99-100W
Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps arm being taken to replace the social welfare adviser on the staff of the Comptroller of Development and Welfare in the West Indies.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

It is not proposed to make a new appointment to this post as it has so far existed. The work of the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies and his advisers will come to an end on the establishment of the Government of the Caribbean Federation. It has been agreed in principle at the London Conference held in February of this year that there should be provision for the establishment of Federal Agencies for the purpose of advising and assisting Governments and others throughout the area. It will therefore be for the Federal Government to decide how far they wish to continue and extend the work of the various advisers at present attached to the Comptroller.

In these circumstances it would be inappropriate to make a new and temporary appointement to any one of the advisory posts fallind vacant just before the Federal Government are about to come into being. I am sure, however, that the Federal Government will wish to consider the possibility of continuing provide advice in this as in the other fields at present covered by the comptroller's organization.