§ *MR. REESI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that but little remains of the old inner concession of the foreshore at Chinde; that the removal of the fence from the old inner concession would give another ten years use of the foreshore; that such removal was unanimously recommended by the commercial community of Chinde to the Commissioner; that the Com missioner has not carried out such recommendation; that the provision of sufficient foreshore in the inner concession for the discharge of cargo is an absolute necessity; that road rates are levied by the administration, though no roads are constructed in the concession; that landing charges are made, though no wharf is provided; and whether he will inquire and take such action as the circumstances require.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL, Manchester, N.W.)It is true that the whole of the original British concession at Chinde is rapidly disappearing through erosion; and that it is the opinion of the local community that the setting back of the fence of the inner concession would considerably prolong the period during which a foreshore of the present extent would be available. The Commissioner of the 1042 British Central Africa Protectorate, however, after full inquiry and conference with the representatives of the commercial community at Chinde, has arrived at the conclusion that the future requirements of the trade of the British concession can be better provided for by other measures; and His Majesty's Government is now in communication with the Government of Portugal on the subject. As regards the question of road rates and landing charges levied at Chinde the Secretary of State will make inquiry.