803
West Indies (Settlement)
804
such, it is in striking contrast to Moyne Report, to which I have just re- ferred. Some of the research done has added considerably to our knowledge of the territories. This report was eagerly awaited no less in the West Indian Islands themselves. In my view, its publication was unduly delayed. I am aware that when the Commission returned to Eng- land, early in the year, it thought it neces- sary
West Indies (Settlement) HOUSE OF COMMONS [MR. SKINNARD.] least part of the problems, so clearly set out, would have been on the way to solu- tion. However, the position has de- teriorated in the intervening 10 years. and it was with general welcome that we saw that the Secretary of State had ap- pointed a recent Commission on resettle- ment in British Guiana and British Honduras. That is commonly known as the Evans Commission, from the name of the Chairman. The terms of reference were admirably concise.
"1. Having regard to the recommendations made by the West Indian Conference in 1944 and 1946 regarding the need for study of the Guianas and British Honduras as an aid to the solution of the problem of over-population in the West Indian island territories, and further to the need to assist in solving the problem of persons displaced as a result of the World War, to investigate and report to the Secretary of State for the Colonies upon the possibilities of resettlement in British Guiana and British Honduras, with the follow- ing considerations in mind:
(a) the future needs of the population of those territories,
(b) the need to provide outlets for the surplus populations in the British West Indies.
(c) the needs of surplus populations in other West Indian islands,
(d) the need to provide for the resettle- ment and rehabilitation of persons displaced from their homes in European countries as a result of the war."
In reference to the fourth paragraph, the Commission do not appear to have been able to do much about this. They recommend that a limited number of dis- placed persons could be used primarily as technicians, particularly in British Hon- duras, but otherwise the Report says that there is no great possibility of alleviating the difficulties of these unhappy people. The Commission were made aware by the Secretary of State for the Colonies of the urgency of reducing the population of the West Indian Islands by one quarter of a million, especially since all the former avenues of emigration have been gradu- ally closed to our own citizens, who used, for instance, to go to parts of Central America and to go for seasonal labour to the Southern States of the United States.
The task was admirably accomplished, and the Report, while not making light of the difficulties and of the vast expense the schemes of development and planned emigration will incur, is a most encourag- ing, hopeful and practical document. As
110 B 4
to borrow from Messrs. Steel Brothers Mr. Ednes, a forestry expert, to undertake a survey of extraction costs for forestry work. This was a wise move, and time was well spent, but it is a fact that he reported by 15th April this year.
>
⚫ Later, I made inquiries as to when the report was to be issued, and the House was informed that the illness of one of the members of the Commission was delay- ing the report. Time went by, and the next excuse we had was that there was some difficulty with His Majesty's Stationery Office about printing. Despite delay in the publication of the report, I was naturally interested in ascertaining whether any of its proposals might be known, and I believe that I am right in saying that draft copies were sent to the Governors of various West Indian Islands, and that parts of the report in draft reached various commercial enter- prises in connection with preliminary dis- cussions about some of the development possibilities for which capital was
needed.
were
The difficulty, however, in that method of approach was that when members of the Legislatures, especially in the two Colonies principally concerned, themselves asking to be told what was the fate in store for their territories, were asking to have a look at the document, or to be given a synopsis of what it contained, they were unable to obtain any inkling of it while, at the same time, other people in commercial enterprises seemed to have the knowledge which those in official positions had been denied.
This is a very unhappy state of affairs. While it may be true that only small parts of the suggested scheme were laid before the appropriate firms, it is un- fortunate that when we are trying to build up confidence in our work in the Colonies, representatives of the people there should not know what use is pro- posed to be made of the basic wealth of their territories, their potential
806
West Indies (Settlement) 10 DECEMBER 1948 West Indies (Settlement)
work--be held to, and will the Secretary of State set his face against any whole- sale clearance of population without any reference to the needs of the area to which they are to be sent? I do not think there is any doubt that he will do so, but I should like to have his positive
resources which, presumably, should be partially, at any rate, under their control. It is significant that myself obtained my first knowledge of the schemes which were being thought of in connection with the Evans Report from last month's "Crown Colonist." It is obvious that these must have been printed or prepared before actual publication because, on page 648, the "Crown Colonist" said:
*Development Areas. Announcement of the Governor's projected visit came two days after the disclosure that the Colonal Development Corporation intended to participate in forestry development in the Colonies."
Again:
"New Settlement Areas in British Guiana. According to reports the Evans Settlement Commission has recommended for suitable settlement three areas of British Guiana.” Again, under the heading:
Forestry Development in Guiana" there was this information:
"The Colonial Development Corporation announces its intention to participate in forestry development in British Guiana, and to set up an investigatory body, in association with Steel Bros. & Co., Ltd., Booker Bros., McConnell & Co., Ltd., with Sir John Tait as Chairman."
I maintain that we ought to bring every- body into consultation. There should be the fullest information about what is proposed for the development of British Guiana and British Honduras. That in- cludes, of course, the principal personali- ties in the West Indian Islands. I do not wish to complain too much about this, because I believe this is a new method of approach. The work of the Colonial Development Corporation has to proceed largely by trial and error, but I ask my right hon. Friend to answer some questions when he replies to the Debate.
First, in future will legislatures be allowed to see very early on any pro- posals which affect the real work and the natural resources of their countries. Secondly, on the Evans Report itself, which of the projects for British Hon- duras and British Guiana are receiving priority and is the Secretary of State pre- pared to agree to the setting up of two separate corporations for this develop- ment under the general control of the Colonial Development Corporation. Thirdly, will the number of selected emi- grants that is to say, certain types of emigrants suitable for certain types of
110 B 5
assurance.
Fourthly, does he recognise that the position of West Indian shipping needs very urgent attention, and particularly in view of the recent report of the Commonwealth Shipping Committee. I invite his attention particularly, since shipping is going to be a very important factor in the success of any of these de- velopments, to paragraphs 54 to 63 of that Report. Paragraph 54 states that passenger facilities are urgently required. Nobody will quarrel with that, but the remedy proposed by the Committee allows for accommodation for about 2,700 persons annually each way between this country and the West Indies. Unfortunately, if one looks at the appendix in the same report on page 40 there is shown that in 1937 3,316 passengers travelled outwards and 2,975 homewards. So at the very best the remedies proposed by the Committee, aimed to operate in 1951, will have the result that the accommodation will be actually under 90 per cent. of that available in 1937.
Fifthly, is the Secretary of State pre- pared to tell the House whether he has considered the suggestion made by Mr. Adams of Barbados, who was one of the United Kingdom representatives at the United Nations Assembly, on the posi- tion of the legislatures with reference to the proposals? Mr. Adams has sug- gested that consultations should be held with as little delay as possible in London between the Colonial Office and the representatives of the seven West Indian Colonics to determine the extent to which the Colonies should contribute to the share capital of the Corporation recom- mended. That is a reasonable and hope the Secretary of State will give his sound proposal to put forward, and I
earnest consideration to it.
4.20 p.m.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Creech Jones): In the few minutes at my disposal I cannot hope to cover the whole of the ground with regard to the Evans Report. I thank my hon. Friend