§ MR. KNOX (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present strength of the Bechuanaland Police Force; how many of the police are stationed within the Northern Protectorate and North of British Bechuanaland; whether the Northern Protectorate is part of the field of the operations of the British South Africa Company under the terms of their Charter; what is the present strength of the Chartered Company's Police Force; whether the officials of the Chartered Company (or any of them) have any authority over the Bechuanaland Police; whether the Secretary of State adheres to the statement of Sir John Brainstem, on behalf of the Colonial Office on 6th November, 1889 (page 224 of Parliamentary Paper [C. 5918] of 1890), that—
It would be irregular and contrary to the representations on which funds have been obtained from Parliament for its support to direct the Bechuanaland Police as a part of its ordinary duties to operate within Lo-Bengula's country, or elsewhere beyond the protectorate;and whether he will undertake that the Bechuanaland Police Force shall not be employed to operate in Lo-Bengula's country without the express orders of the Secretary of State?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarThe answer to the first and second questions 999 is that the Bechuanaland Police numbers about 400 men, but that it is inexpedient to state the distribution of a military force. The answer to the third question is, "Yes"; but the Company do not operate there at present. With regard to the fourth question, we have no official information; but the Company have informed us that the number of police is 40, and of volunteers 570, and that there is a burgher force fluctuating according to the number of whites in the country, as every male inhabitant is liable for burgher service. The answer to the fifth question is, "No;" and to the sixth, "Yes." As to the last question, Her Majesty's Government have every confidence that Sir Henry Loch would not direct any such movement of the police without grave reasons and without their concurrence.
§ MR. KNOXDo I understand the hon. Gentleman to say the Government adhers to the statement of Sir John Bramston?
§ MR. S. BUXTONYes; we adhere to the statement contained in the last paragraph but one of the question.