Moyne papers on the West India Royal Commission
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- Creator
- Guinness, Walter Edward (1880-1942) 1st Baron Moyne of Bury St Edmunds, politician
TitleMoyne papers on the West India Royal Commission
Reference codeICS56
Date1928-1945
Scope and ContentPapers of Walter Edward Guinness, Lord Moyne, relating to his chairmanship of the West India Royal Commission (WIRC), 1938-1939. The majority of the material comprises memoranda on means of improving the social and economic conditions of the people, submitted to WIRC by interested parties in Trinidad and Tobago, although Colonial Office publications and draft speeches are also included.
NotesThe West India Royal Commission was a comprehensive investigation of the social and economic condition of all the British territories in the Caribbean. Led by Lord Moyne, the Commission held public hearings throughout the region, and recommended sweeping reforms in everything from employment practices and social welfare, to radical political change. The full findings of the commission were not published until 1945 but an immediate start was made upon the implementation of less controversial recommendations. The British government decided to make substantial increases in the amount of money available for colonial development of all kinds and set about creating a framework for change.
Conditions governing accessAt least 24 hours notice before a research visit. Open for research. However, access to individual items in the Institute of Commonwealth Studies Library archival collections may be restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act.
Extent3 boxes
System of ArrangementLargely chronological.
Finding aidsHandlist available in the Special Collections reading room. A pdf version is attached to this description. Also catalogued online (click on the "contains" icon below).
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Level of descriptionfonds