§ Sir J. LEIGHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received a Report from the Governor of Sierra Leone of the discovery of hæmatite in Sierra Leone, and if any Report has been made of the nature, extent, and value of the deposits; if any steps have been taken by the Government to interest British iron and steel manufacturers in their development; and if the Government has any scheme under consideration the object of which is to take full commercial advantage of the discovery?
50W
§ Mr. AMERYThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, the exploitation of the deposits will be left to private enterprise and I understand that a concession for the purpose is now being granted to a commercial firm.