HC Deb 05 April 1807 vol 48 cc511-2
MR. P. THORNTON (Clapham)

On behalf of the hon. Member for Staffordshire, Leek (Mr. BILL), I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, considering the excellent fighting qualities and discipline shown by the Hausa force commanded by Major Arnold in the late campaign on the Niger, the Secretary of War will reconsider his decision to raise another West Indian Regiment for service on the West Coast of Africa, and arrange instead for the new battalion to be recruited exclusively from the Hausa tribes?

* MR. BRODRICK

Recruits for the West India Regiment are raised wherever the best soldiers of African blood are obtainable. At present the supply of Hausa tribesmen has not been equal to the demand for them as local police.