HC Deb 28 March 1881 vol 260 cc17-8
SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE (for Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, When the Royal Commissioners in the Transvaal will commence their work; and, whether the Instructions to the Commission and any Despatches on the general subject will be laid before Parliament in addition to the telegrams already presented?

MR. GRANT DUFF

The right hon. Gentleman will, perhaps, allow me to answer his Questions. As to the first, I have to say that my noble Friend is in communication with Sir Hercules Robinson with regard to the place at which and the time when the Commission should meet. I may add that Her Majesty's Government is anxious that it should commence its labours as soon as possible. As to the second, I have to say that the Correspondence has been almost entirely telegraphic, and has been already laid before Parliament. As to the third, I am not yet able to make any reply.

MR. GORST

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the Instructions issued to the Commander of the British Troops remaining in the Transvaal till the final settlement, as to the manner in which those Troops are to perform the duty of preventing the party that has been loyal to the British Government from using the situation to the prejudice of the Boers?

MR. GRANT DUFF

Sir, this Question has been passed on to me by my right hon. Friend; and, in reply to it, I have to say that during the interval, until the country is handed over to the Boers, it will be our duty to maintain order as far as possible, and the troops would, if required, act in support of the civil authorities, without any special instruction. But the Commissioners will direct their attention to this as well as other points; and Sir Evelyn Wood will proceed, as soon as his other duties permit, to Pretoria to make the necessary arrangements.

MR. GORST

asked, Whether the Instructions to the Commission would be laid on the Table before Easter?

MR. GRANT DUFF

I can give no certain reply to that Question; but I should hope they may be.

SIR JOHN LUBBOCK

With reference to a statement in this morning's paper, that all English residents have been ordered out of the Transvaal, and that refugees returning to their homes in that country are threatened with confiscation, said, he trusted there was no foundation for the rumour, and hoped Her Majesty's Government would be able to contradict it.

MR. GRANT DUFF

In reply to my hon. Friend, I have to say that no such information has reached us, and I give no credence to the rumour.