§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the total expenditure on warlike operations from 1895 to 1900, inclusive, 1559 in connection with the Colonies or hinterlands of Gambia, Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast, Lagos, and the Niger, respectively; and what has been the total cost of the West African Field Force up to date.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe only expenditure on warlike operations separately recorded, apart from the cost of the various constabulary forces in the years 1895 to 1900, is that of £44,625 for the extra cost thrown upon Sierra Leone in respect of the operations in 1897–8 and that of £195,893 for the Cold Coast, the greater part of which is the cost of the Ashanti expedition of 1895–6. The cost of the recent Ashanti War is not yet ascertained, but will probably come to about £400,000. The total cost of the West African Frontier Force up to date has averaged about £180,000 per annum for the last four years.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONWill the hon. Member give the cost for each separate year?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI will endeavour to get the figures.