§ MR. GERALD LODER (Brighton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he can state the total number of British Civil officials in Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast respectively; how many deaths occurred amongst them in each Colony in 1896 and in 1897, to the date of the latest available information; and, whether he will consider the possibility of establishing 12 months as the maximum period of service required before leave can be claimed?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The number of British Civil officials in the two Colonies is about 30 and 125 respectively, and the number of deaths among them was in 1896 five and 14, and in 1897 two and five. A comparison based upon a longer period appears, however, to show that the Gold Coast is more unhealthy than Sierra Leone. As regards the third Question I must refer the hon. Member to the answers already given on the same subject on March 12th and July 22nd, 1897.