§ Mr. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being 514W taken by the Government of Nigeria to bring to an end the pawning of persons as security for debt, known as the system of Iwofa, and especially its employment in the case of persons under 16 years of age?
§ Colonel StanleyIn Nigeria the pawning of persons in any form is illegal and the placer or receiver is liable on conviction to imprisonment for 14 years. The Governor reported in 1937 that pawning still existed in the Southern Provinces to a decreasing extent, but he was confident that the practice, except probably in a few inaccessible areas where it might linger for a time, would be forced rapidly to disappear. Subsequently the Governor reported that there was evidence that pawning continued to decline. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the two reports to which I have referred and I am also asking the Governor for a further report.