§ 121. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will list the main assets of the former West Indies Federal Government in Trinidad, together with the decisions about their individual disposal now that the Federation has ended.
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§ Mr. SandysThe main assets are the loan made by the Federal Government to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago from the British Government's £1 million capital grant for Federal housing and various cash balances, deposits and recoverable advances. There were also certain physical assets, such as furniture and the stores of the West India Regiment. These physical assets have been realised, in part by public auction, in part by sale to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and in part by transfer with or without payment to other Government institutions in the area. The assets are to be used to meet the liabilities of the former Federation, notably the payment of pensions and compensation to former Federal Civil Servants.
§ 122. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what common services of the former West Indies Federation are still being carried on by the Commissioner appointed for the purpose; what negotiations have taken place about their future; and what decisions have been reached about any of them.
§ Mr. SandysFollowing the decisions of the Common Services Conference in Trinidad last July, interterritorial Ministerial Councils are now responsible for the University, the Meteorological Service and the Shipping Service. The advisory services have been discontinued, and the West India Regiment disbanded. Other services such as the students and migrant services have become the direct responsibility of individual governments or groups of governments. The Interim Commissioner's functions, therefore, are now limited to making a final determination of Federal assets and the discharge of Federal liabilities, and to the payment of pensions to former Federal civil servants. He is also technically responsible for the British Caribbean Court of Appeal.