CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will arrange that in future the tour of service for the constabulary and political departments in Northern Nigeria be twelve months instead of eighteen months as at present, and so bring these services into line with all other departments, which have a tour of twelve months only.
§ THE UNDER - SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL,) Manchester, N.W.The system by which officers of the political and constabulary departments are liable to serve for eighteen months (with a proportionate increase of leave in England) was adopted after careful consideration on the recommendation of Sir Frederick Lugard, and with the concurrence of the principal medical officer of the Protectorate, it being left to the discretion of the High Commissioner to grant leave to any officer after twelve months service if he should require it by reason of ill-health. Sir Frederick Lugard has not expressed any desire for the alteration of the system, and as at present advised the Secretary of State would not feel justified in requiring an alteration.