HC Deb 29 July 1925 vol 187 c431
61. Mr. EVERARD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the percentage of Government officers who have proceeded home from West Africa before the completion of their term of duty owing to ill health since the period of service was increased to 18 months, as compared to the period when the term of service was only 12 months?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

It is not possible to give the figures for which my hon. Friend asks. Under the new West African Leave Regulations there is no fixed "term of duty." An officer serves from 12 to 24 months at the discretion of the Governor, who takes into consideration the necessities of the Service, the character of the stations at which the officer has been serving, and his medical history. My right hon. Friend's medical advisers are considering the best method of obtaining reliable statistics in future of the number of European officials sent home from West Africa by reason of ill-health.

Mr. EVERARD

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the larger business firms and all the banks in West Africa find that they get value for their money by having their employés over there for one year only, and does not he think it would be better for the Government to follow their example?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

It entirely depends on the circumstances in which an officer is serving. Certainly that would be true in some districts, while it would not be in others. It varies according to the conditions and according to the physical fitness of the individual.