§ SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is true that preparations are being made at Cape Town for sending troops to Bechuanaland, and that the departure of a regiment for Natal has consequently been countermanded; and, if so, for what purpose the troops are going, and at whose expense?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEPerhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer this question. Preparations are being made to replace the police with troops at certain posts within the colony of British Bechuanaland, because it may possibly become necessary to move the police now at those posts into the Bechuanaland Protectorate in order to defend it against raiding trekkers. The interchange of troops between Natal and Cape Town has been postponed until after to-day. If troops should ultimately be sent into British Bechuanaland, the expense, which would not be great, would fall on Imperial funds, as the colony is not self-supporting.