§ Mr. W. BAKERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that at the time when the vote of compensation to the Commonwealth Trust and the Basle Mission was submitted to the legislative Council of the Gold Coast the compensation had in fact already been paid, and that as the Legislative Council was confronted with an accomplished fact freedom to decide for or against the Vote did not exist; and whether he will give the official explanation of these circumstances?
§ Mr. AMERYYes, Sir. Agreement with the Basle Trading Society was reached in April, and it was expedient to conclude the settlement as quickly as possible. I, therefore, authorised payment in advance on 7th May to the Trading Society, and payment to the Commonwealth Trust on 25th June. As I informed the hon. Member on 18th June 1423W last, the official members of the Gold Coast Council would be expected to support the Vote. There was, therefore, no need to delay payment until the formal procedure had been completed, and it was not possible to assemble the Council until the end of October.