§ Mr. WATTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the mining regulations for Northern Nigeria, sanctioned by his Department, call for a payment of £5 before granting to an immigrant a right to prospect; whether applicant must then show that he has means to the amount of £100; and whether no company is allowed to start work unless its capital is £2,000 or more?
Mr. HARCOURTThe fee payable for a prospecting right is £5. An applicant is required to furnish satisfactory proof that he possesses locally the sum of £100. An applicant for an exclusive licence to prospect must satisfy the Governor that he, or the company on behalf of which ho applies, possesses an actual capital of £500 in respect of each square mile applied for.