§ MR. CONYBEAREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India what steps have been taken with respect to the notices served in July last upon British subjects residing and trading in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, directing them within 12 months to leave those States?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS, Liverpool, East Toxteth)Perhaps I may be allowed to reply to the question. The question of the hon. Member refers apparently to the restrictions imposed by the laws of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic upon persons belonging to coloured races, whether British subjects or not. No information has been received as to any order that such persons are to leave either of those States; but the Orange Free State Law forbids their trading without a special licence, of which only nine have been issued, and it was decided to withdraw these nine licences after a year's notice. No action was taken by Her Majesty's Government in regard to the Orange Free State, as they have no locus standi under Treaty in that State, which would justify further opposition.