HC Deb 25 February 1890 vol 341 c1159
MR. W. F. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether it is the case, as reported in August last, the Transvaal Government has classed Her Majesty's Indian subjects as "Aliens," and forbidden them to reside within the Transvaal; and, if so, what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to redress this grievance?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East Toxteth

At the request of my right hon. Friend the Under Secretary for India I will answer the question. It is the case that the Government of the South African Republic decided that traders from British India should be subject to the laws and regulations of the Republic affecting Chinese, Arabs, and other Oriental aliens. These Indians have not been forbidden to reside within the South African Republic; but are at present subject to serious restrictions under a law which was passed in 1886, for the removal or mitigation of which Her Majesty's High Commissioner is now in communication with the Government of the Republic.