§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Papers laid upon the Table of the House in regard to recent transactions in Matabeleland will be in the hands of Members early next week; and whether it is contemplated to afford a speedy opportunity for the House to discuss these transactions?
§ MR. S. BUXTONThe Papers were laid on the Table yesterday; they are in the hands of the printers, and will be distributed early next week—I hope on Monday. As regards the second part of the question, I will ask my hon. Friend to repeat it on Monday.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREIn case the opportunity is not afforded, it will be my duty to take the means at my disposal to secure the discussion. The hon. Member then put the following question:—Whether the Under Secretary of State has received any telegram from Sir Henry Loch confirming the telegram communicated to Renter's Agency, in which it is stated that Sir Henry Loch offered, if Mr. Rhodes wished, to leave the Imperial Police at Buluwayo during the rains, but that, after consideration, Mr. Rhodes declined the kindly offer; and whether it is to be understood by this telegram that the Imperial Police will not be left in Matabeleland; and, if so, whether jurisdiction over that country will be in the hands of the Chartered Company?
§ MR. S. BUXTONAs regards the first question, we believe the statement to be correct. As regards the second question, and the first part of that of the hon. Member for Liverpool (Sir G. Baden-Powell), I am not yet in a position to make a full statement on the subject of future policy, and I must decline to make any partial statement.