55. Mrs. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the new federal tariff on imported building material will increase the cost of housing for Africans in Nyasaland by 20 per cent.; and what steps are being taken to produce more materials locally or by other means to keep down the cost of this service.
§ Mr. HopkinsonIt would not, of course, be proper for me to discuss the new federal tariffs. I understand however that they will not affect the cost of construction of African houses by the Government in Nyasaland, although they may possibly increase the cost of those built by contractors, by 2 or 3 per cent. It has always been the policy of the Nyasaland Government to encourage the use of local building materials such as timber, bricks and tiles. A cement factory may shortly be established in Nyasaland.