§ Sir R. THOMASasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the figures of the imports of gin into Togoland in 1926 and 1927, respectively; and what steps the British administration is taking to discourage the sale of gin and other intoxicating liquors to the natives?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe returns under the Liquor Trade Ascertainment Ordinance show that the amount of gin bought by dealers in British Togoland in 1926 was 1,594 gallons and in 1927 4.984 gallons, the latter figure representing about one-twentieth of a gallon per head of the population. According to1402W the Commissioner's report, the increase is due to the increased prosperity and there is no evidence of any increase in drunkenness. The sale of spirits to natives in the northern section of Togo-land is prohibited, the duties on importation in the Gold Coast and Togoland have recently been raised, and proposals for increasing the fees payable for spirit licences and reducing the hours of consumption are under consideration.