HC Deb 23 March 1910 vol 15 cc1036-7
Mr. RAINY

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether he is aware of the declaration by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Sir Walter Egerton (30th June, 1905) that it was explained to Bishop Tugwell that for a good many years past the policy of this Department had been to abolish the Colonial chaplaincies in Crown Colonies, and of the declaration by Lord Elgin to Sir Walter Egerton (31st March, 1908) that the policy of successive Secretaries of State for the Colonies for many years past had been to abolish Colonial chaplaincies in Crown Colonies, and there were none now remaining except those in the Eastern Colonies, which were a survival, and the chaplaincy of the Gold Coast, which was revived for special reasons some years ago; and whether the recent grants to Lagos involve a reversal of the policy contained in those declarations, and. if so, what are the reasons for this change of policy?

Colonel SEELY

I am aware of the statements referred to, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the present Government has no intention to depart from the policy therein laid down. I explained yesterday, in answer to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich, and other hon. Gentlemen, that the creation of this chaplaincy had been considered to be justified by the exceptional circumstances of the European community at Lagos, and that any representations received from members of the different Christian denominations in the town would be considered in a spirit of complete impartiality. I may again point out that there is no question of any grants from the funds of this country.

Mr. RAINY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that money will be provided out of the earnings of natives who have no interest in this question?

Mr. REES

Before that question is answered may I ask whether it is not the case that the natives respect the British for endowing and practising their own religion?

Colonel SEELY

Yes, Sir. In reply to the supplementary question of my hon. Friend (Mr. Rainy), of course it is the fact that the natives do contribute in so far as they pay taxes in that country, but the Secretary of State did not feel himself justified in refusing the request, which was backed up by the Legislative Council of Lagos, and for this reason, that it was pointed out to him by men of all denominations that unless some such step was taken there would be no white Christian minister to minister to the dying or to bury the dead.