§ 43. Mr. J. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that in spite of the heavy demands on the revenue of Sierra Leone, expatriation allowances to European officers amount to approximately£80,000 per annum; and, in view of this, if he will discontinue these appointments and appoint Sierra Leone graduates with suitable qualifications now in this country, some of whom are unemployed.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThe amount of expatriation allowance payable from Sierra Leone revenues is nearer£60,000 per annum. Appointments of European officers to Sierra Leone are made in, accordance with requests received from the Sierra Leone Government. It is the policy of that Government to employ local candidates to the greatest extent possible, and a scheme for the provision of 33 new scholarships to Sierra Leoneans for higher studies in this country has recently been approved. A proposal that still more scholarships should be created is under consideration by the Sierra Leone Government. If there are any suitably qualified Sierra Leone graduates in this country who are at present unemployed, it is of course open to them to apply to the Sierra Leone Government for employment.