§ 7. Colonel WEDGWOODasked 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:
2587 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.
Europeans, including officials 1,829 Asiatics 982 Natives 1,304,123
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the number of taxpayers is rather small to take on this very heavy additional burden?
§ Mr. AMERYI hope that both the number and the resources of those taxpayers will be considerably increased as a result of improving communications.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhen the Zambesi blows the bridge away?