HC Deb 11 November 1908 vol 196 cc264-5
MR. ARMITAGE

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if gin is a currency in the delta of the Niger, especially in the neighbourhood of Brass.

COLONEL SEELY

Gin is still used as a medium of exchange in some parts of the delta of the Niger, but the Government are doing all that they can to encourage the use of coin. They have recently introduced a new subsidiary coinage with results which are reported to be encouraging; but the extreme conservatism of the inhabitants of these districts renders the task a difficult one.

MR. FELL

What is the source of this gin? Is it Hamburg potato spirit?

COLONEL SEELY

It comes from various sources. I cannot say its precise nature, but I believe it is very nasty.