§ 4. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the provision of more and better roads is a condition precedent to the development and transport of industry in Nigeria, and that the delay in taking immediate steps to effect this is putting undue burdens on the Governments of Nigeria; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe need for more and better roads is fully recognised here as well as in Nigeria. The Nigerian Governments have all undertaken large schemes of road development involving a total planned expenditure of more than £35 million during the period 1955–60. Colonial Development and Welfare grants of over £9 million have been made towards this.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the Minister realise that the road development there is not sufficient and that it is very unfair to leave over those tasks until independence is granted in Nigeria and thereby to put large financial and other burdens on the new Government?
§ Mr. ProfumoI am advised that development work generally in Nigeria at the present time is limited less by financial considerations than by the physical capacity to undertake the necessary work.