§ MR. GIBSONasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is intended to revoke the Letters Patent relative to the Transvaal, dated 8th November 1879; and, if so, when; and, whether, if such an intention exists, any opportunity will be afforded to the loyal English, Boer, and Native inhabitants of the Transvaal to show cause against the revocation of such. Letters Patent, and the withdrawal of the Proclamation of Annexation under which they became subjects of the Queen, and entitled to the benefits of the English Constitution, and the security of its Laws?
MR. GRANT DUFFIn reply to the right hon. and learned Gentleman's first Question, I have to say that the manner of giving effect to the final settlement cannot be determined till the Commission has done its work; but, assuming that the settlement is completed on the basis of the agreement made by Sir Evelyn Wood, the revocation of the Letters Patent passed in 1879 for the creation of a temporary Constitution would, I apprehend, follow as a matter of course. In reply to his second Question I have to refer him to the answer given by the Prime Minister on Tuesday to the hon. Member for Carlow County, and to add that the same kind of claim as that to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman alludes was made when the Orange River Territory was relinquished, but that it was not entertained.
§ MR. GIBSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean to convey to the House 1013 that it will be within the power of the Commission to decide that the Letters Patent may continue in existence?
MR. GRANT DUFFNo, Sir; but I understand that if the settlement of the Commissioners is made upon the lines of the agreement with Sir Evelyn Wood, then the Letters Patent will have to be revoked as a matter of course. The Letters Patent were issued simply for the purpose of calling into existence a temporary Legislature for the Transvaal.
§ MR. GIBSONThat is not the point. Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to convey that it will be competent to the Commission to depart from the lines of the agreement with Sir Evelyn Wood?