§ MR. WEDGWOODI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that we are now paying an annual grant-in-aid of £164,000 to British East Africa, and that the revenue of British East Africa has steadily increased from £108,857 in 1903–1904 to £395,828 in 1906–1907, and in view of this progress towards financial equilibrium, he will undertake that in future no more money shall be given to this Colony in the form of a grant-in-aid, but only by way of loan.
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe revenue of the British East Africa Protectorate for 1906–1907 was £461,363, but this figure, which represents the gross revenue, including the receipts of the Uganda Railway, is not properly comparable with the figure given in the accounts for 1903–1904, viz., £108,857, which represents net revenue only. On reviewing the financial situation of the Protectorate as shown by the complete accounts for the last six years, and having regard to the probable out-turn of the current year, I do not feel justified in giving the undertaking suggested.
§ MR. HAROLD COX (Preston)Can the hon. Gentleman give any indication of how long we are to go on subsidising this Colony?
§ MR. RUNCIMANIt is impossible for me to prophesy what will be the receipts of the Uganda Railway or the total revenue of the Colony.
§ MR. WEDGWOODasked whether there was any objection to taking this reasonable precaution as to the recovery of the money by the British taxpayer in case the Colony did become self-supporting.
§ MR. RUNCIMANWhen the Colony does become self-supporting we can then consider the question.