§ MR. BRODIE (Surrey, Reigate)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for
† See (4) Debates, clviii., 816.1598 the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that oil has been found in the bitumen fields of Lagos on the West Coast of Africa; whether he has taken or will take steps to ensure that the local Colonial authorities are aware of the danger of allowing inexperienced persons to bore in oil-bearing strata, especially where water exists; and whether he can see his way to endeavour to secure the closest restrictions upon the method of boring, in order to avoid injury to the oil fields and consequent loss of revenue to the Colony.(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The information which has reached the Colonial Office is to the effect that no actual discovery of oil has been made, although it is possible that it may be found. The attention of the local Government will be called to the danger referred to, and any necessary precautions will be taken.