§ 37. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to announce his decision as to the suggested partition of Ijebu province, Nigeria?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreYes, Sir. The Commission of Inquiry has recommended that Ijebu Remo should be separated from Ijebu Ode. I have approved of the Governor accepting this recommendation and that it should take effect from 1st April, 1938.
§ Mr. MathersHas the right hon. Gentleman himself examined all the evidence given at the inquiry which was held, and is he satisfied that the recommendation is a sound one? Is he aware that the idea of partition is opposed by, I am told, 90 per cent. of the people affected?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreOn the contrary, I thought that this gave effect to what the hon. Member has been asking for, namely, separation. I understand that a full inquiry was held, and the report was quite clear that this separation is just.
§ Mr. MathersIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of the chiefs protested against the idea of separation, and being put under another chief?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreIt is not a question of being put under another chief, but a question whether one of the existing native authorities should be separated and made independent. I understood that was what the hon. Member has been asking for.
§ Mr. MathersI was not presuming to dictate to the right hon. Gentleman, but I asked him to examine the position, and it seems clear from his answer that he has not examined the position properly.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have seen a summary of the report, and I am quite satisfied that the recommendation is sound.