asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to provide practical help at the Kildare Land Settlement, Portland, Jamaica, for ex-Service men who were resettled on this land without an adequate water supply or other necessities, such as proper marketing arrangements, and are now under notice to quit by 31st August, 1954, because they are in arrears with the repayment of the instalments of the high purchase price of their holdings.

I am informed that the settlement has an adequate water supply close by and that there is no difficulty in marketing coconuts, which are its main crop. The ex-Service settlers were provided with a house and land and other assistance on generous terms but are required to make small half-yearly repayments. Many have not done so and have not developed their land. The Jamaica Government are now taking proceedings against a few of the worst defaulters.