HC Deb 09 May 1907 vol 174 cc352-4
MR. WEDGWOOD

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what weight of steel rails and sleepers was shipped to Lagos, Southern Nigeria, and the Gold Coast in the year 1906–7; and what was the average freight charged from the port of production to free on quay at the West Coast.

The following Question also stood on the Paper:—

MR. WEDGWOOD

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies who placed the contract for the rails and sleepers for the West Coast Colonies and the contract for the freightage thither, and with whom were the orders and freightage placed; and were tenders called for by open advertisement, or what firms were asked to tender for supply and for freightage.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL,) Manchester, N. W.

It will be convenient to deal with this and the next Question of the hon. Member together. The contracts for rails and sleepers and for their freight were placed by the Crown Agents as agents for the Colonies concerned. The contracts for freight were placed with Elder Dempster and Company. As regards the system followed by the Crown Agents in contracting for stores for Colonial Governments, I must refer the hon. Member to the Parliamentary Paper published in 1904 (Cd. 1944) in which full explanations are given. The further information asked for could be furnished, but its compilation would involve considerable labour, necessitating examination of records for the past ten years. The Secretary of State is not prepared to direct that this should be done, but if the hon. Member will apply to the Crown Agents direct they will be happy to give him any particulars which he may require. It should be borne in mind that the railways in question were constructed at the expense of the respective Colonies, and that the British taxpayer bore no part of their expense.

SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)

Are the Government satisfied that the retention of Crown Agents makes for the efficiency of the Consular Service?

MR. CHURCHILL

I have no hesitation in saying that the Government are of opinion that the retention of Crown Agents is entirely in the interests of efficiency and economy.

MR. WEDGWOOD

I want to get at the freights actually charged.

MR. CHURCHILL

If the hon. Gentleman will go to the Crown Agents' Office he will be able to get all the particulars.