COLONEL WELBYTo ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that two years ago Sir F. Luard publicly stated that steps would be taken to prevent by prohibition rates the importation of liquors into the African Interior via the Lagos Railway; and whether he can say if these rates have been imposed, and with what result.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) The importation into Northern Nigeria of spirituous liquors for sale to natives is absolutely prohibited. The present terminus of the Lagos Railway is some seventy miles from the boundary of Lagos and Northern Nigeria, so that, 1390 even apart from the general prohibition, the question of direct importation by railway does not arise. The rates at present charged for the conveyance of spirits on the railway are high; higher in fact than the charges for conveyance by other means (carriers and canoes). For instance, the railway rate for spirits from Lagos to Ibadan (the terminus) is 47s. a ton, and the charge for conveyance by carriers, etc., is 40s. 4½d.