§ MR. HAZELLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government, now that it is responsible for the administration of Nigeria, is maintaining strictly the restrictions on the slave trade and the prohibition of the sale of firearms and intoxicating drink established by the Royal Niger Company in the region of the Lower Niger; what steps they are taking to extend these regulations to the whole of Nigeria; and whether they are taking any measures to put a speedy end to the slave raiding which is productive of such evils in that country.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe company's regulations as to the slave trade and the sale of firearms were practically the same as those in force, in the Niger Coast Protectorate and Lagos, and are being maintained. The sale of intoxicating drink was not prohibited by the company in the southern portion of their territories. The prohibition in Northern Nigeria is being maintained, but it is not practicable to extend it to Southern Nigeria. Measures will be taken in the future, as in the past, to put a stop to slave raiding wherever it is possible to do so.