§ 64. Earl WINTERTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state how much the cost of living has increased since 1914 for civil servants in the Gold Coast and Nigeria, taking into account the fact that a large part of their equipment and provisions is purchased at home; whether, in the case of the Gold Coast, officers have to pay heavy Customs duties on such provisions; whether any increases of pay have been given to the officers of these services since 1914; and, if so, at what dates?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut.-Colonel Amery)The cost of living for civil servants in the Gold Coast and Nigeria has largely increased since 1914; but it is hardly possible to give a definite figure, as conditions vary largely, not only in different colonies, but in different stations in the same colony. In the Gold Coast provisions are subject to import duties of 12½ per cent, ad valorem. War bonuses have been granted to West African officers on various dates, beginning on 1st October, 1916, for some classes, and on 1st January, 1917, for all classes, and the Secretary of State hopes shortly to be able to approve a new scale of salaries giving large permanent increases to all grades.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists among these branches of the Civil Service which is held to be damaging to our prestige in Africa, and that these civil servants have not the means of bringing pressure to bear on this House which civil servants in this country have? Will he therefore give the subject more careful consideration than has been given hitherto?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI can assure my Noble Friend that the Secretary of State is not only aware of these matters but is very anxious to deal with the question and has been for many months. The negotiations have involved correspondence with the different Governments as to their proposals, and we hope that this process which has been going on for months will very soon reach its conclusion, and I trust then we shall be able to satisfy my Noble Friend.