§ 24. Mr. CECIL WILSON (for Mr. JOHNSTON)asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the State shipping service of the Government of Nigeria, after allowing for depreciation, overhead charges, etc., can profitably transport 8 coal from Port Harcourt to Lagos at 6s. 9d. per ton, and that the Elder Dempster Company is charging 198. 6d. per ton for the same service; and whether he will take any steps to assist the Nigerian Government to extend its State Shipping Department so that the railways and industries of Nigeria may be supplied with coal at lower freights?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am aware that the Nigerian Marine Department is able to carry coal at the figure stated. The Government of Nigeria has recently purchased a new Colner and the completion of the Nigerian Eastern Railway will enable coal to be railed direct to the tin mines which are the only consumers of coal apart from the Government railways and there is no need for any further expansion of the Marine Department.