§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI wish to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies a Question of which I have given him private Notice—namely, Whether the statement is correct which appears in the Press to-day to the effect that the Transvaal Volksraad have been considering the Convention with closed doors, and there is a doubt as to its ratification?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYWe have no intelligence on the subject. The consideration of the Convention was delayed till the return of the Delegates, and they have only just returned to the Transvaal. The period for the ratification or rejection is to the end of this month.