§ Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the Colonial Development Corporation's Annual Report for 1958.
§ Mr. J. AmeryThe Report contains evidence of progress with many important economic projects, and I should like to congratulate the Corporation on its achievements. It also contains a number of criticisms of the Government's approach to some of its problems. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is fully conscious that the Corporation must operate on commercial lines, and he makes a point of not interfering in its commercial operations. But his responsibilities to this House and to the taxpayer, who has to produce such large sums of money for these projects, are very real. He must be satisfied that funds made available to the Corporation are used far the purposes laid down by Parliament in the Overseas Resources Development Act and in conformity with public policy generally.
My right hon. Friend does not consider that his exercise of these responsibilities is incompatible with the Corpora- 37W tion's freedom to conduct its day to day affairs. In any case, my right hon. Friend considers that the Report overstates the frequency and importance of such differences as have arisen. My right hon. Friend and the new Chairman are in complete agreement about the importance of maintaining close and friendly relations between Government Departments and the Corporation and are so proceeding.