§ MR. W. F. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that for the three years 1892–3 to 1894–5 the Revenue of the Niger Coast Protectorate has amounted approximately to an average of £128,000 per annum, and that since 22nd November the duties on imports are calculated to nearly double that amount, and that hitherto there 712 have been no accounts of the Protectorate published or presented to Parliament; whether the cost of the various punitive expeditions have been debited to the local Revenue, and, if so, what is the amount up to March last; whether the local authorities submit to the Foreign Office each year a budget; whether there is any and what check on expenditure, either locally or in London; and, whether, having regard to the large sums collected and the rising importance of the district, the Foreign Office will lay upon the Table of the House the balance sheets of the Protectorate since its commencement and the budget, if any, of the current year?
* MR. CURZONThe Revenue of the Niger Coast Protectorate has varied considerably during recent years, and the average for the three years 1892–5 has been higher than the figures named in the Question, owing to exceptional circumstances in 1894–5, however, closely approximates to the sum mentioned. It is as yet too soon to estimate the effect on the Revenue of the recent increase in the duty on spirits. The cost of the employment of the Protectorate forces is debited to the Revenue and a contribution has been made therefrom, on the principle acted upon in the case of Crown Colonies, to the expense of the Naval forces; the budget is submitted annually to the Foreign Office and is examined, before approval, with the assistance of the Crown Agents of the Colonies, through whom all accounts pass. The accounts are audited by the Controller and Auditor General by whom a local auditor is appointed. My hon. Friend must be aware that the accounts of Crown Colonies are not laid before Parliament, and it is not proposed to adopt a different course in the case of the African Protectorates.
§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)asked whether it was not a fact that the Budgets of the Crown Colonies were laid before Parliament?
§ * SIR C. DILKEsaid surely the right hon. Member was aware of the fact.
* MR. CURZONI have given to the House the information given to me, and 713 I believe it is correct. I have no other information.
§ * SIR C. DILKEIf the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that the Budgets of the Crown Colonies are laid before Parliament, will he take a similar course in regard to the Niger Protectorate?
§ * SIR C. DILKEIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that no sum is asked for for the Crown Colonies?