§ 26. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many officials from his Department have gone out to investigate the Cameroons Development Corporation; whether it is intended to have any independent investigators; and what steps were taken when this investigation was decided on for any of his officials to obtain evidence from any people in this country before going out to West Africa.
§ Mr. CookAs the Corporation is a Nigerian statutory body, it would be for the Nigerian Government to initiate any investigation into its affairs. My right hon. Friend has informed the Governor of certain of the matters which my hon. Friend has raised with him about the Corporation and has asked the Governor for his comments on them.
§ Mr. CooperCan my hon. Friend say what pressure the Secretary of State is bringing to bear upon the Governor of Nigeria to make full-scale investigations into the Cameroons Development Corporation, in view of the fact that under the present management such disgraceful inefficiency is being exposed? Already, half the British staff have left the organisation in disgust, and I think that we should investigate the matter as a problem of some urgency.