asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will place in the Library of the House a report of the Commission appointed to inquire into public works irregularities in St. Vincent; and what action he is taking in the light of the findings of the commission.

Yes, Sir. A Commission of Inquiry, appointed last year in the Colony of St. Vincent, reported that Mrs. Joshua, Member without portfolio of the Executive Council, had improperly interfered with the Public Works Department, in a manner which resulted in serious financial irregularities.

I informed the Government of St. Vincent that in view of the findings of the Commission I considered that the right course was for Mrs. Joshua to resign.

Mrs. Joshua has, however, declined to resign; and the Chief Minister, Mr. Joshua, is not prepared to advise the Administrator to dismiss her.

In the circumstances, I felt it right to inform the Chief Minister that I could not continue to pay out money to a Government which was not prepared to observe proper standards of financial conduct. I hope that this will help to secure the early withdrawal of Mrs. Joshua from the Government, so that normal payments to the Colony can be resumed.

Is the Minister aware that I think there will be general acceptance on both sides of the House of that Answer? Can he tell the House whether there are any legal proceedings pending against Mrs. Joshua, and whether there are any powers to call for a General Election to allow the people of this island to make up their own minds about the Government?

At the moment I am concerned with the more limited objective. I hope that what I have done will result in Mrs. Joshua seeing the wisdom of resigning, and that she will relieve me of considering such other measures as are open to me.