§ 101. Mr. McAdamasked the Secretary of State for War what British troops are stationed in Lagos; why they are being retained there; what time they are expected to put in at this station without home leave; and if he will consider fixing the maximum period of service of British troops at such stations as Lagos to a maximum period of 12 months.
§ Mr. Lawson:There are in Lagos an area headquarters, a battalion of African Infantry and various African administrative units, all of which contain some British personnel. The Infantry Battalion is required for internal security and the administrative units are engaged in the day to day work of maintenance of the military forces in the area and in dealing with contingents of Africans being repatriated from overseas.
Eighteen months is the normal tour of duty in West Africa. It is not until British personnel have learned the language that they reach their full usefulness when serving with African troops, and as this takes some time it is considered that a tour of 18 months is the minimum for which it is economical to post them to West Africa.