§ Mr. JOELasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the dissatisfaction with the conditions of lighterage, wharfage and craneage charges at Tanganyika ports, he will appoint a board of inquiry into the subject; and whether he is aware that the present inquiry conducted by two officials of the Tanganyika railways administration does not meet with public confidence?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe arrangements for handling cargo at the ports of Dar-es-Salaam and Tanga are 2141W governed by agreements with the Tanganyika Landing and Shipping Company, Limited, which acts as agent for the railway administration as regards lighterage, etc. The agreements remain current for 10 years from 1931, but it is provided that the scales of retention by the agent may be reviewed at the end of every three years. The present inquiry is being held for that purpose, and arrangements have been made whereby bodies in this country interested in the working of the ports will be consulted before a decision is taken. I have asked the Governor to ensure that any representations of local bodies are taken into consideration. As regards the charges to the public for wharfage, etc., the railway administration has power to vary these at any time, and I am asking the Governor for his views on a request which has been made locally that these should form the subject of a special inquiry at an early date.