§ SIR J. SWINBURNE (Staffordshire, Lichfield)I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury a question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether Her Majesty's Government 376 will defer the grant of the proposed charter conferring rights almost of sovereignty, with complete municipal and other controlling powers, over a vast tract of country in South Africa, including 200 square miles of Becbuanaland, which is now under British protection, and some 400 miles by 400 miles of Matabeleland, which is now declared under British influence, till next Session, in order that Parliament may have an opportunity of discussing the matter?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHIn answer to the hon. Baronet, who rightly says that he gave me private notice of the question, although I only received it five minutes ago, I have only to say that I have no personal knowledge of the matter, nor is it possible for me to make myself acquainted with all the business which comes before the Government; but if the hon. Baronet will give notice I have no doubt information will be given to him. I am certainly not able to say whether the proposed charter merits the description he has given of it, or whether a tract of land extending over 200 miles forms a very large portion of South Africa.
§ SIR J. SWINBURNEWhat I said was that it forms a very large portion of that part of South Africa.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, seeing that the Colonial Office Vote was rushed through at 2 o'clock in the morning, he will undertake to defer the grant of this charter till the subject can be discussed next week?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI must decline to give any such undertaking. It is not in my power to limit the prerogative of the Crown, or at this period of the Session to interfere with the progress of business.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLThen I will avail myself of the opportunity of calling attention to this matter on the Appropriation Bill next week.