asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reason British Honduras is not being represented at the British West Indian Conference in Barbados?

The Governor of British Honduras has informed me that in view of the serious difficulty which persists in finding money for essential domestic services, and the probability that the subjects for discussion at the West Indies Conference would have only a relatively minor material bearing on local problems it was decided that the Colony should not be represented at the Conference.

Does my right hon. Friend not feel that the importance of this question is such that the difficulties should be overcome at any cost?

No, not at any cost. The colony itself is the best judge.