§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he can furnish any statement showing the state of the finances of the Government of the Island of Zanzibar for each year since the year 1906?
Mr. HARCOURTThe following statement shows the revenue and expenditure of Zanzibar from 1906–1911, the latest date for which audited figures are available:—
744W
Revenue. Expenditure £ £ 1906 … … … 191,501 156,247 1907 … … … 247,535 188,974 1908 … … … 166,092 219,685 1909 … … … 204,863 189,014 1910 … … … 181,706 192,926 1911 … … … 237,422 207,950
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEalso asked whether the Zanzibar Government recently purchased through the Foreign Office various enterprises belonging to American citizens in Zanzibar, such as a railway, electric light plant, telephone plant, etc.; on whose advice these undertakings were purchased; and whether he can furnish any particulars with reference to the transactions?
Mr. HARCOURTThe Zanzibar Government recently purchased the properties of the Zanzibar Railway Company, the Zanzibar Electric Light Company, and the Zanzibar Investment Company. The first and second of these were owned by corporations organised and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, United States of America. The purchases were made on the advice of the responsible heads of the Zanzibar Government and of the late Mr. Clarke, then His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Zanzibar. As regards the last part of the question, if the hon. Member will state what particulars he desires in regard to these transactions I will consider whether they can properly be furnished.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state why the administration of Zanzibar has recently been transferred from the Foreign Office to the Colonial Office; and why no Consular Report has been issued for that island since July, 1911?
§ Sir E. GREYIt has always been intended that Zanzibar, like the other British Protectorates in Africa, should eventually be transferred to the Colonial Office; and on the death of Mr. Clarke, His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General, it was decided that the transfer should be made. A Consular Report for the last half of the year 1911 and for 1912 will shortly be issued.