§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to the opinions expressed by Sir Sydney Shippard, Administrator of British Bechuanaland, in his Report to the Governor and High Commissioner, dated 30th September, 1890, that we are threatened with serious troubles on the Western border of Gordenia; that there are signs of restlessness amongst the natives in the Protectorate; that we are holding vast 907 territories with a very small force, it is the intention of the Government to give effect to his recommendation that the present force of border police should be increased by at least 50 men and officers for the Crown Colony, and by 50 men, with six Maxim guns, for the Protectorate, as soon as possible?
§ THE SECRETARY or STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS, Liverpool, East Toxteth)Full consideration was given to Sir S. Shippard's opinion, and in the Estimates for the current year provision has been made for an increase of the police force by 25 men and 1 officer, making its total authorised strength 469 officers and men. This force costs £104,000 per annum, out of a total expenditure of the Bechuanaland Government of £164,797, involving this year a grant-in-aid from Imperial funds of £119,700. Her Majesty's Government trust that there may be no immediate necessity for a further increase of the Government police.