HC Deb 14 July 1870 vol 203 cc246-7
MR. M'ARTHUR

said, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether or not it is true that the Government of the Dominion of Canada have set apart one million four hundred thousand acres of the richest land in the Red River Settlement for the half-breeds of that territory, and under what conditions and for what reasons such appropriation has been made; whether his Excellency the Governor General has assented to such a proceeding; and, whether the Colonial Office is in possession of any information relating to this matter; or if any Correspondence has taken place between the Governor General of Canada and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, he will object to communicate such information, or to lay such Correspondence upon the Table of the House?

MR. MONSELL

said, in reply, that by the 31st section of the Acts of the Canadian Parliament power had been given to appropriate a portion of the territory, to the extent of 1,400,000 acres, for the benefit of the families of the half-breeds, under regulations to be made from time to time by the Governor General in Council. The selection of the lots were left to the Lieutenant Governor. The Governor General had assented to what had been done. No Correspondence had taken place between the Governor General of Canada and the Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs.