HC Deb 07 February 1881 vol 258 cc266-7
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Cape Government have done anything whatever towards repaying Her Majesty's Government the debt due for commissariat and other expenses of the Colonial troops in the former Transkei war; whether it is true, as stated in the "Times," that the present Basuto and Transkei war has been carried on with money borrowed from the local banks without the sanction of the Colonial Parliament; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Representative has been a party to this transaction?

MR. GRANT DUFF

The accounts of the Transkei War have been forwarded to this country, and are now being examined by Representatives of the Cape Government and of the Home Government with a view to arrive at an understanding as to how much is due from Cape funds. We have no knowledge of, and no power over, the arrangements made by the Cape Government for raising funds. The Cape Ministers are responsible to the Cape Parliament; and it is no part of the duty of Her Majesty's Representative to interfere with such arrangements as those about which my hon. Friend asks.