§ SIR JOHN KENNAWAY (Devonshire, Honiton)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any reports showing that spirit licences have been issued to natives on the Gold Coast; and, if so, can he say how many such licences were issued in the month of February; and what regulations are in force on the Gold Coast and in the other British Possessions of West Africa as to the issue of licences, both with regard to the number issued, the character and qualification of the licencee, and the charge for each licence.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) No distinction is drawn between natives and other persons in the Gold Coast laws relating to the grant of spirit licences. I am not in a position to state the number of licences issued to natives during the month of February. The regulations to which the hon. Member refers in the latter part of his Question are contained in the following laws, which can be seen in the Library of the Colonial Office—Gambia—Ordinance No. 9 of 1894. Sierra Leone—Ordinance of the 14th March, 1854; Ordinance of the 8th September, 1856; Ordinance No. 13 of 1874; Ordinance No. 9 of 1901. Gold Coast—Ordinance No. 18 of 1887; Ordinance No. 3 of 1897; Ordinance No. 21 of 1900; Ordinance No. 5 of 1902; Lagos—Ordinance No. 14 of 1893. Southern Nigeria—Proclamation No. 2 of 1901; Proclamation No. 17 of 1902. Northern Nigeria—Proclamation No. 13 of 1900.