§ 37. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many cooperative societies have been started in the past twelve months in the Eastern Region of Nigeria; and if he is satisfied that the staff of the Registrar of Co-operatives is numerically adequate to deal with the increase, and that the advertised qualifications and salaries for auditors are adequate, in view of the higher standards required and salaries given for British auditors.
§ Mr. ProfumoOne hundred new societies were started in the last twelve months. I am informed that the Eastern Regional Government does not consider the staff of its Co-operative Department to be adequate and that steps are being taken to improve the situation. I am also informed that the work at present performed by the auditors is regarded as commensurate with their qualifications.
§ Mr. SorensenDo I understand from that Answer—which I heard indistinctly 1510 owing to the noise which was being made—that in fact the auditors are to be brought up to a standard commensurate with those of auditors in this country?
§ Mr. ProfumoAs I said, the work at present performed by auditors was regarded as commensurate with their qualifications.