§ 28. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the annual amount expended by the Government of Nigeria on the publication of the paper "Nigerian Citizen."
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Northern Region of Nigeria recently voted a single 2379 grant of £6,000 from regional funds to the Gaskiya Corporation to cover an expected loss on the publication of the "Nigerian Citizen" during the current financial year.
§ Mr. DaviesCan the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion, if any, of that grant is make by the Colonial Office under these powers in Section 3?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI can tell the hon. Gentleman what sums the corporation has so far received. It received £163,000 from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund, £10,000 from the Nigerian Government and a Colonial Development and Welfare loan of £35,000. This further money is in addition to the grants already made.
§ Mr. George WiggDoes not the Minister agree that as this paper is supported by public funds great care should be taken to see that its editorial policy is in conformity with the policy of the Nigerian Government?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThat is quite another matter. The motto of another paper run by the same corporation is that "Truth costs more than a penny." When considering losses, I think we ought to bear that fact in mind.