HC Deb 21 October 1908 vol 194 cc1138-9
MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will say what proportion of the revenue of Southern Nigeria was derived during the years 1906 and 1907 from the sale of gin and raw spirits; whether he has any information that these liquors are consumed by the natives alone; and whether His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of taking steps to provide that a Crown Colony shall not derive a large income from the sale of spirits, seeing that the sale of such liquors are prohibited to all natives in the self-governing Colonies of the Empire.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Colonel SEELY,) Liverpool, Abercromby

The revenue derived by the Government of Southern Nigeria from spirit duties (not from the sale of spirits) in 1906 and 1907 was £600,784 and £806,942 respectively, and the total revenue of the Colony in these years amounted to £1,088,717 and £1,459,554 respectively. The Secretary of State has decided, after correspondence with the native races and Liquor Traffic United Committee, to appoint a Committee to investigate the facts on the spot. I may add that the prohibition of the sale of spirits to natives is not quite universal in the self-governing Colonies.

SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)

May I ask if a member of this community will be added to the Commission of Inquiry on this subject as was practically promised?

COLONEL SEELY

What does the hon. Member mean by this community—does he mean this House?

SIR GILBERT PARKER

This country.

COLONEL SEELY

The Committee is not yet complete. I will represent the views of the hon. Gentleman to the Secretary of State, and point out that some indication was given that some appointment of the nature should be made.