HC Deb 10 June 1880 vol 252 cc1620-1
SIR WILFRID LAWSON

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any Vote would be brought forward that would admit of his raising the question of Sir Bartle Frere's retention of his official position in South Africa?

MR. GRANT DUFF

In reply to the Question of which my hon. Friend gave me private Notice, and which, not having obtained the authority of the Treasury, to which Department it more properly belonged, I was unable to answer on Tuesday, I have now to say that, as I understand the matter, the question of the propriety or impropriety of the action of the present Government in not immediately recalling Sir Bartle Frere can be raised and fully debated either on the Vote of £500 for his temporary and personal allowance from Imperial funds up to the end of the quarter, which will appear in the Estimates instead of the item of £2,000 which is now there, or on the Vote of £2,500 from Imperial funds for Sir George Pomeroy Colley's salary.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

observed that the £500 had been already voted.

MR. GRANT DUFF

understood that it would be necessary to re-vote it.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

I do not consider that either of the Votes referred to would give me the opportunity I desire, and I therefore beg to give Notice that, on the earliest day on which I can find an opportunity of making the first Motion on going into Committee of Supply, I will move— That an humble Address he presented to Her Majesty, praying Her Majesty to recall Sir Bartle Frere from his post in South Africa.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

I beg to ask if any communications have been made to Sir Bartle Frere on the subject of the reduction of his salary; and, if so, whether there will be any objection to laying those communications on the Table of the House?

MR. GRANT DUFF

Yes, Sir, communications have been made to Sir Bartle Frere; but I am not quite sure as to what is the practice with regard to laying despatches on the Table of the House before they have reached the persons to whom they are addressed; but, if there is no objection, they shall be produced.

MR. RYLANDS

When my hon. Friend (Sir Wilfrid Lawson) moves the Motion of which he has given Notice, with reference to Sir Bartle Frere, I shall move the Previous Question.