§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for stimulating industrial and agricultural development in British Honduras; and whether he will establish a National Development Bank there.
§ Mrs. HartIndustrial and agricultural development in British Honduras are 249W primarily matters for the local Government. For the 3-year period April, 1965-March, 1968 the British Government is providing £2.2 million in Colonial Development and Welfare grants within which a number of schemes relating to agricultural development have been approved. The British Honduras Government have given a very high priority to the construction of a new Capital: as my right hon. Friend announced yesterday H.M.G. has agreed to find a further £500,000 towards the cost. There is already a Development Finance Corporation in being in British Honduras which the local Government hope to strengthen and expand into a full Development Bank. Since 1960 the British Honduras Government has been offering generous tax and import duty concessions of from 11 to 15 years for approved new investment in agricultural and industrial projects. Some 48 projects have so far received concessions under this scheme.
§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement defining the constitutional position of civil servants in British Honduras with regard to party politics.
§ Mrs. HartCivil servants in British Honduras are expected broadly to follow the same conventions as apply to civil servants in the United Kingdom. They may not for example, stand for election to the National Assembly unless they have first resigned from the Civil Service, nor may they become actively involved in party political activities. The constitution also provides, in accordance with normal principles, for the insulation of the Civil Service from political influence and control.