§ SIR GEORGE BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Bill granting responsible Government to the Colony of Natal has received the Governor's assent; whether the Bill, which provides only one Chamber, contains provisions enabling the Colony to create a second Chamber in the future; whether any opportunity will be given to this House to discuss the details of the Bill; and whether special agreement has yet been come to by which the Colony undertakes, on the commencement of responsible Government, to provide for the defence of its own territories?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSThe answer to the first paragraph of my hon. Friend's question is, No. The Bill will be reserved for the signification of the Queen's pleasure. Until the Bill has been received here, it will not be possible to make any definite statement as to its details. The details of the Bill cannot properly be discussed in this House, as the intervention of Parliament is not required. No final conclusion has been come to respecting the arrangements for the future defence of Natal.