HC Deb 04 June 1891 vol 353 cc1608-9
MR. SUMMERS

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the unsanitary condition of many of the towns and stations comprised within the limits of the British West African Settlements, and whether he can inform the House if the Government have taken, or intend to take, any steps to remedy a state of things that imperils the life and health of Her Majesty's subjects in those parts?

BARON H. DE WORMS

The Secretary of State is well aware that the sanitary conditions of many of the towns and stations in the British West African Colonies are not by any means all that could be desired. Measures for their improvement are constantly being carried out, but these are limited by (1) the amount of funds at the disposal of the different Colonial Governments, (2) by the difficulties of snpervision caused by the climate, and (3) by the opposition frequently manifested by the natives themselves to sanitary improvements. A perusal of the Reports sent home by the Colonial Governors, and presented to Parliament, will show that much, however, has already been done.