HC Deb 10 July 1899 vol 74 cc304-5
MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what have been the figures of trade (imports and exports separately) for each of the ten years 1889 to 1898 between the United Kingdom and the Niger Protectorate; whether any expense has been borne by the Imperial Exchequer in relation to that protectorate since the grant of the charter; and, in that case, what has been the total sum so charged, and for what purpose.

* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

The trade of the United Kingdom with the Niger Protectorate (exclusive of the territory administered by the Niger Company) for the years 1889–1898 was as follows—

Imports Exports
£ £
Aug. 1, 1891—July 31, 1892 580,177 427,264
Aug. 1, 1892—July 31, 1893 625,444 497,469
Ap1. 1, 1893—Mch. 31, 1894 697,483 491,765
Apl.1, 1894—Mch. 31, 1895 581,230 463,171
Apl. 1, 1895—Mch. 31, 1896 575,447 536,537
Apl.1, 1896—Mch. 31, 1897 563,291 546,466
Apl.1, 1897—Mch. 31, 1898 504,602 497,589

Earlier returns cannot be given, as the Niger Coast Protective Administration only commenced in August, 1891. Up to the 31st of December, 1893, the Commissioner's salary was charged to Imperial Funds, out of which also an advance of £14,000 was made for initial expenses. This was repaid in 1893–94, and the Protectorate has since been self-supporting.