§ MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)May I ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true, as stated in several newspapers, that the British Government have annexed Zulu-land to the Crown; and, if that is so, whether this has been done with the sanction of the Zulu nation; and, also, whether it is customary or right, in the case of such vast territories, to annex them without the consent of Parliament?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)I can but refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave a few nights ago, in which I stated that Sovereignty had been proclaimed over Zululand, and that the Zulus had assented.
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)Will the right hon. Gentleman state what steps were taken to discover the views of the Zulus?
§ SIR HENRY HOLLANDSteps were taken by informing the Zulus what was going to be done.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREI would ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether he will give the House an early opportunity of expressing its opinion upon this most important action of the Government?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)There will, I think, be an opportunity of expressing an opinion on the Colonial Vote.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREWhen?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThat depends on the progress of Public Business.