§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the salaries and prospects for British civil servants in Nigeria are inadequate; and what steps he is taking to increase them.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)Yes, Sir, I am much concerned with this question and for that reason, as the House already knows, I recently arranged for Sir John Martin to visit Nigeria and to report on the situation there. I am now considering his recommendations, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Secretary of State realise that civil servants throughout the Colonies and all well-wishers of the Colonial Service will welcome the declaration that he has just made? Does he realise that the present policy is diminishing prematurely the administrative staffs in the Colonies, where they are wanted?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is not the policy which is diminishing the numbers. I agree that administrative staff are greatly required. I am very conscious of the matter and anxious about it.