§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if some means can be found to secure good sanitary dwellings for European officials at Lagos, South Nigeria, with the least possible disturbance to the present proprietors; if the head-quarters of the railway are at some distance from Lagos and are healthy; and, if so, if Europeans could be provided with comfortable houses in or near the same place.
§ MR. CHURCHILLEfforts are being made, and it is believed with success, to secure sites for dwellings on the condition referred to. The head-quarters of the railway are situated some four miles from Lagos at the railway terminus. As regards health, there is little to choose between this place—the town of Ebute Motta—and Lagos. Ebute Metta would be quite unsuitable as a place of residence for European officials other than those connected with the railway, and any available land there is no more than sufficient for the necessary extension of the railway premises. It may be added that the aquisition of sites at Ebute Metta would involve the removal of the present residents in the same manner as has been found necessary at Lagos.