§ 36. Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the representations of British scientists, of which a copy has been sent to him, in favour of an inquiry into the causes of native backwardness in Africa; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have received a letter from the Eugenics Society urging that steps should be taken to carry on and expand certain researches recently carried out in Kenya. I propose to consult the Colonial Government as to whether any steps can be taken to prosecute an inquiry of the nature sug- 870 gested, but in the present state of the Colony's finances I very much doubt whether the Colony could find the necessary funds, and I should not be prepared to suggest that the burden should fall on the Government of this country.