§ 21. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that a Somaliland chief who had been deported to the Seychelles was allowed to return 906 to his country in May, 1922, upon surety being provided by the relatives, His Majesty's Government would be prepared to consider favourably a proposal for permitting the early return to Ashanti of King Prempeh under similar sureties?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe question of Prempeh's return has recently been discussed verbally with the Governor of the Gold Coast, and the Secretary of State concurred with him in thinking that Prempeh's return to Ashanti could not be sanctioned at present. I may add that the Somaliland chief to whom my hon. Friend refers was not released, but is still detained in Seychelles.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKAre not the Government showing unnecessary timidity in regard to the return of King Prempeh?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI happen to have discussed this matter personally with the late Commissioner for Ashanti, who has just concluded his term of service. I have also discussed it with the new Commissioner who is going out. I shall get a further Report from him on political conditions in Ashanti before we take any further action in the matter.