§ 30. Mr. Haleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mrs. V. da Costa, the British-born wife of an African-born British subject, whose occupation is a variety artiste, has been told my immigration officials at Lagos that she may perform before European but not before African audiences.
§ Mr. LytteltonThe hon. Member has been misinformed. The facts are that Mrs. da Costa was first refused permission to perform at all in Nigeria, on the grounds that the act she proposed was improper, but that this ban has been withdrawn on her assurance that her act will be entirely unobjectionable.
§ Mr. HaleI am very much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for that information. May I remind him of the 372 fact that Mrs. da Costa also appears to have been misinformed, and also a friend who communicated the Question to me. We are all glad that this is over, but Mrs. da Costa appeared before the Private Secretary to the Governor and other distinguished officials, who seemed to think that the performance was very good.
§ Mr. LytteltonThe hon. Member, Mrs. da Costa and I seem to be quite satisfied.