§ 43. Lieut.-Commander WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken for the administration of Togoland and, in particular, what steps have been taken to deal with the real estate belonging formerly to the German Government or to German subjects?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)Under a provisional agreement made in September, 1914, between the Governor of the Gold Coast and the Lieutenant-Governor of Dahomey the administration of Togoland is shared between the two Governments, the districts bordering on the Gold Coast, 309 with the railways and wharves, being administered by officers lent from the Gold Coast. There is a Chief Political Officer at Lome, who is at present also the officer in command of the troops in occupation. Arrangements have been made for the collection of revenue. I have no knowledge of the administration set up by the French in the sphere provisionally assigned to them. As regards Government land, I have no particular information. I assume that Government estates are being administered by our officers. Privately owned land is not being interfered with in any way.
§ Lieut.-Commander WEDGWOODMay I ask whether anything has been done in the matter of real estate belonging to the German Government, and whether it is being dealt with as if it were British property?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs I said, we have no information specially as to what is being done. I assume it is being administered by our officers who are administering the Colony temporarily.