MR. LABOUOHEREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, by the Charter granted to the South Africa Company (Article 25), it is stated that, within one year from the formation of the company, a deed of settlement shall be executed by the company, providing for (amongst other things)—(v.) The registration of members of the company, and the transfer of shares in the capital of the company; whether he is aware that, in the deed of settlement which has been executed, this obligation has not been executed; and whether he will cause it to be executed?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtethThe hon. Member appears to have overlooked Articles 10 to 13 and 27 to 35 of the Deed of Settlement, which, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, constitute a sufficient compliance with the Article of the Charter to which he refers.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREAm I to infer that the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to give the Returns specified in the Charter and ordered to be given?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSNo, Sir; I do not think the hon. Gentleman ought to infer that; but he ought to infer that he has overlooked certain Articles in the Deed of Settlement which makes provision for a case of this kind.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREIs there any provision made for the non-registration and transfer of shares in the company?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSYes, Sir; that is met by the Articles to which I have referred.