§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a public inquiry has been held into the disturbances which took place at Abeokuta, Nigeria, on the 8th August last, as a result of which a number of lives were lost; and whether a full Report has been received as to the circumstances which led to the troops from Lagos being sent for, the number of persons killed, and the subsequent arrests made?
Mr. HARCOURTI am not aware whether any special inquiry is being held. I understand that the Governor-General was proposing to await the result of the trial of persons concerned in the riots before deciding whether the appointment of a commission of inquiry was necessary.
§ Sir W. BYLESasked on what grounds the Egba Treaty of 18th January, 1893, which, inter alia, guaranteed the independence of the Egba people so long as its provisions were kept has been annulled, and the Egba kingdom placed under the government of the Protectorate of Nigeria?
Mr. HARCOURTThe immediate cause of the new agreement was the inability of the native Government of Egbaland to maintain order. It had, however, for some time become apparent that the Treaty made in 1893, when British jurisdiction was confined to the coast, was no longer1148W sufficient for the requirements of good government in totally changed circumstances.