§ 16. Sir GEORGE TOULMINasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government has since January, 1917, made any arrangement with Holland relative to the export of trade spirits to West Africa; whether the views of the Colonial Office as to the policy of providing such spirits for the native races were asked; if any such arrangement has been discussed or made, will he say to what class of spirit it refers; what amount in total, and for each Colony separately; and what is the reason or consideration for the arrangement?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Hewins)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Foreign Office are aware of the views of the Colonial Office on the subject, but there has been no change in the policy of the West African Governments in regard to the importation of spirits, although the Import Duties have been considerably increased since the beginning of the War.