8. Mr. David Adamsasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now give the return requested by the hon. Member for Consett many months ago, and provisionally promised for last month, from the Governor of the Gold Coast, covering the last 10 years, showing the total profits declared by the gold companies of that Colony, and the amount spent on the welfare of the workers by these companies during that period?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall)I regret that the return requested by my hon. Friend has not yet been received from the Governor of the Gold Coast, who, it is 355 understood, is obtaining the necessary information through the local Chamber of Mines. He has again been reminded on the subject, and a further communication will be sent if no reply is received by the next mail.
Mr. AdamsAs the information asked for is 12 months old and was promised for August this year, cannot the matter be expedited?
§ Mr. HallI can assure my hon. Friend that we are doing what we can, but he must bear in mind that he is asking for a comprehensive report covering a long period. The information is not in the hands of the Governor, and he is dependent on the companies themselves supplying it. My hon. Friend will receive it as soon as it is received at the Colonial Office.
§ Sir Patrick HannonWhat particular value and purpose are served in putting the Governor of the Colony to the trouble of collecting information of this kind? Is it not waste of public time?
§ Mr. HallThe Governor has no objection to supplying the information, provided it is supplied by the companies themselves.