§ 17. Miss Vickersasked the President of the Board of Trade to what causes he ascribes the rise in United Kingdom exports to Nigeria; and what steps the Government is taking to increase such exports further.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganNigeria is a developing country and, except for a setback in 1957, her imports have been steadily growing. We have shared in this increase, but we are now meeting growing competition. I toured Nigeria in March, 1958, and as a result of my recommendation our Trade Commissioner staff there has since been strengthened. New offices are being opened at Enugu and Kaduna and a third office will eventually be opened at Ibadan.
§ Miss VickersWhile congratulating all concerned, may I ask whether, in view of the fact that Nigeria will shortly become independent, there will be no technical hitches in continuing this export trade?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI see no reason for that. It was, in fact, in anticipation of independence that I recommended that our Trade Commissioner staff should be strengthened.