§ MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland)I am to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is 857 aware that the Legislative Council of the Gold Coast Colony passed an Ordinance on 1st May, 1905, authorising a loan of £1,400,000 for railways and other works; and will he say whether all the unofficial members of the Council formally protested against the passing of the Ordinance; and, if so, for what reason; and whether the execution of the works contemplated in the Ordinance will be thrown open to tender or will be entrusted to the Crown Agents.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON, Warwick and Leamington)The Ordinance referred to by the hon. Member was passed on 1st May. All the unofficial members of the Legislative Council formally voted against its passing, and I understand from the Governor's despatch reporting the matter that whilst they were unanimously in favour of the proceeds of the loan being applied in carrying out the works contemplated in the Ordinance, their voting against it was intended as a protest against those works being carried out under the same system as that which had been followed in constructing the Sekondi-Kumassi Railway. I am unable to state at present whether the execution of any of the works will be thrown open to tender or undertaken by the Government. In no case is the execution of public works in the Colonies entrusted to the Crown Agents.