§ MR. W. F. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any reason, and, if so, what reason, why the accounts of the Niger Coast Protectorate and its yearly budget should not be published in like manner as those of the Protectorate of Zanzibar, and whether he will authorise such publication in future; and, whether he can state what may be the cost up to date of the Governor's chief residence and public offices, including their equipment, and if not yet completed, what further cost may be estimated to complete them?
MR. CURZONI have before stated that there are several reasons for which the accounts of the Niger Coast Protectorate are not laid before Parliament. Among 739 others, the fact that no money is asked for from Parliament for that Protectorate, as is done in the case of Zanzibar. The sum spent up to the end of the financial year 1895–6 on public buildings is £104,210. It is estimated that a further sum of £20,150 will be required to complete those now in hand.