37. Mr. CREECH JONESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the area of the British Colonies in the continent of Africa; and what proportion is this of the whole continent?
Mr. THOMASThe area of British Colonial Dependencies in Africa (including Protectorates and Territories held by His Majesty's Government under Mandate and the South African High Commission Territories) is approximately 1,876,131 square miles, or about 16 per cent of the total area of Africa.
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has ascertained that his assumption on Monday night that the whole of Africa was in the British Empire is inaccurate?
Mr. THOMASNo. That was not necessary, for the reason that my assumption was based on the statement that Africa was not part of the British Empire.
§ Mr. MORRISONMay I put it to the right hon. Gentleman—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis seems to be developing into a debate.