§ MR. BUCHANAN (Perthshire, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has given its assent to Clause 34 of the Transvaal Draft Ordinance, by which Clauses 22 to 28, dealing with the return of labourers to their country of origin, shall apply to British Indians.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr.BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThe Government of India has not been consulted as to any clause of the Transvaal Draft Ordinance, nor is its assent necessary; but, subject to the authority of the Secretary of State in Council, it controls the exportation of labourers from India, and its action will of course depend on the state of the law on the subject in the Transvaal, as well as on other considerations. I may add that the clause to which this Question refers is intended to have only a temporary effect, pending the passing of special legislation on the subject of Indian labour.
§ MR. BUCHANANHas the Secretary of State for India given his assent to these clauses in the Transvaal Ordinance?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo, Sir, I have given no assent to any ordinance at present.