HC Deb 15 May 1958 vol 588 cc585-6
9. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the transfer of the control of military forces to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria on 1st April, 1958, and the proposed transfer of control to Sierra Leone on 1st January, 1959.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Control and administration of the Nigerian military forces reverted from the War Office to the Governor General of the Federation of Nigeria on 1st April, 1958. This transfer was agreed at the Nigerian Constitutional Conference held in London in May and June of 1957. I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 61 of the Report of the Conference (Cmnd. 207).

Similar proposals have been made for the transfer of control of the Sierra Leone military forces, as foreshadowed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War at paragraph 25 of the Memorandum on the Army Estimates 1958–59 (Cmnd. 372). I am awaiting the views of the Governor of Sierra Leone.

Mr. Wigg

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to tell the House what the subvention from British Government funds to the Government of Nigeria is in the present year and what it will be next year, and, perhaps, even the year after, and will he give similar figures for Sierra Leone? Will he also tell the House whether Nigeria and Sierra Leone continue to be an internal security commitment for British forces, having regard to the fact that we have left in this country only two battalions in any sort of condition to meet an emergency?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I do not think I could answer that question at this stage. The Finance Member for the Federation, Chief Festus, an old friend of many hon. Members, is in this country at this moment discussing matters of that kind.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Tilney.

Mr. Wigg

With great respect, the right hon. Gentleman could surely tell us—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I have called the next Question. Mr. Tilney.

Mr. Wigg

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. If I am not allowed to press the right hon. Gentleman for a reply on the issue of whether the Government are able to discharge their military commitments in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, I beg to give notice that I shall seize an early opportunity of raising the matter on the Adjournment.