§ Sir JOHN KENNAWAYasked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether the local allowance of 5s. a day granted seven years ago in consideration of the high cost of living, to Government officers in Northern Nigeria has been cut down and is to be discontinued altogether in March next; and whether the salaries of these officers have been increased, or if there is reason to suppose that the cost of living there has been reduced?
§ Colonel SEELYYes, Sir. The reasons for this action were stated at length by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 31st July, 1906, in reply to a question in this House, to which I beg leave to refer the right hon. Gentleman. It is a very long statement; too long, I think, to read to the House. I shall be happy to send him a copy of that reply for facility of reference, and I need only add to it that, in order to effect the change as gradually as possible, the allowance was reduced by 1s. a day in each year from 1906 onwards.
§ Sir JOHN KENNAWAYHave the salaries been raised?
§ Colonel SEELYWill the right hon. Gentleman give me notice of that question, because it will involve a reference to the salaries of the officials?