HC Deb 17 December 1928 vol 223 cc2586-7
7. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is now the white and coloured population of Nyasaland; whether he is aware that the estimated expenditure of the Colony for 1928 amounts to £493,385; by how much this expenditure would be further increased if the Zambesi bridge, costing £1,000,000, is sanctioned; and, before giving any such sanction, will he consider the views of the residents in Nyasaland on the increased charge or liability?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)

The returns for 1927 give the population of Nyasaland as follows:

Europeans, including officials 1,829
Asiatics 982
Natives 1,304,123
The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. I am unable to answer the third part until the financial arrangements necessary to give effect to the scheme have been fully worked out. With regard to the last part, consideration will, of course, be given to the views of representative bodies in Nyasaland as to the effect on the finances of the Protectorate of any proposals which may be adopted.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the number of taxpayers is rather small to take on this very heavy additional burden?

Mr. AMERY

I hope that both the number and the resources of those taxpayers will be considerably increased as a result of improving communications.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

When the Zambesi blows the bridge away?

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