§ 52. Mr. RAFFANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Nigeria carries a debt of £6,000,000 as a share in liability for War charges; if he will state the amount of the interest and sinking fund upon this sum; and how it is now being met?
Mr. WOODNo, Sir. The offer made by the Nigerian Government in 1916 was, with the concurrence of His Majesty's Government, withdrawn in 1919, in view 1208 of the change in the financial position of the country caused by the decision to prohibit the importation of "trade spirits" and the large expenditure required for the development of the country.