Colonial Development In the House of Commons on Friday, July
12th, Mr. J. H. Thomas unfolded his scheme for Colonial Development as a means of reducing unemployment. Once again a money resolution preceded the second reading of the consequential Bill. Mr. Thomas, indeed, asked the House to accept the discussion of the resolution as equivalent to a second-reading debate. He proposed to establish a Fund which would extend borrowing facilities to Protected and Mandated territories. He would also lengthen the loan period from 40 to 60 years. The Fund would amount to £1,000,000 a year, which must be spent every year. The object of this provision was to prevent the Colonies from delaying their schemes. If they did not take the money when it was available they would lose it. Mr. Amery welcomed the scheme, particularly as it had been flatteringly borrowed from the Unionists. Sir Hilton Young was also very friendly, but the mutual compliments between the two Front Benches were striking enough to throw some Labour members into an agony of suspicion. On Wednesday when the debate was continued the resolution was carried.
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