Mr. C. Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the committee appointed in Nigeria on the subject of remuneration to Africans in Government service has yet reported; whether steps are being taken to reduce the disparity in remuneration now existing between Africans and Europeans; whether he can indicate how many Africans in each department with university training are employed; and how many Africans have refused appointment because of the low remuneration offered to them?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have not yet received the report of the local Committee in Nigeria which was, I understand to consider the question of salary scales for certain African staff, and I am not, therefore, in a position to reply to the second part of the hon. Member's question. I have no doubt that the Governor of Nigeria will send me a copy of the Committee's report with his recommendations in due course. As regards the third and fourth parts of the question, I have no detailed information, but I will cause inquiries to be made.