§ 87. Mr. Hornbyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to make a further statement on his discussions with representatives of the Government of British Honduras.
§ 90. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with the delegation from British Honduras.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydHer Majesty's Government have agreed to provide British Honduras with a grant-in-aid amounting to B.H. $1¼ million (£312,500) to cover the deficit on the budget for 1958. This is the same amount of grant-in-aid as was approved last year.
For development and welfare, funds have been provided which, together with the balances in hand, will provide British Honduras with about £1 million to spend in the two years up to March, 1960. Although the Colony's development plan has been found to be sound and well balanced, there is some doubt whether, irrespective of finance, they would have the physical capacity to carry out the whole of the projected development within two years. The funds now available to them will enable them to proceed with their development at an accelerated rate, and Her Majesty's Government have agreed that the position shall be reviewed in about a year's time. We shall then consider whether they will require further funds to carry on with the plan up to March, 1960.
206WConstitutional matters were also discussed. The Governor will consider in about a year's time whether he should recommend the appointment of a Commissioner to conduct an independent inquiry into the question of constitutional advance.