HC Deb 01 September 1893 vol 16 cc1731-2
SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government are prepared, in case necessity should arise, to take steps for the protection of British subjects in Mashonaland?

*THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, Midlothian

The British South Africa Company under their Charter are responsible for the preservation of peace and order in the territories under their control. Her Majesty Government have obtained information from Mr. Rhodes, through Sir H. Loch, and they have full confidence in the statement that the Company are willing and able to discharge this duty effectively. Mr. Rhodes anticipates that he can in a short time place on the spot for service, if required, 1,000 men fully armed and mounted. This announcement Her Majesty's Government regard as satisfactory. The question of what shall be done in case of necessity is a hypothetical question relating to a state of things which has not actually arisen, and is not, in the view of the Government, likely to arise. It is, therefore, one which, under the existing circumstances, they must decline to answer. If and when the case does arise the Government will, of course, be ready to announce their decision with regard to it.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

Is the question in Order? Has it not been frequently ruled that such questions cannot be put?

*MR. SPEAKER

Hypothetical questions are out of Order.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

in view of the facts that Colonists in Mashonaland are our fellow-subjects, and that they are undoubtedly threatened with raids by the Matabele impis, and questions have been submitted to the Government whether they are prepared to send an armed force for the relief of the Colonists, which questions have not been fairly answered, I submit my question can hardly be said to be hypothetical.

MR. SPEAKER

That statement does not alter the hypothetical character of the question.

COMMANDER BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness)

Is it not the case that in the last few days Sir Henry Loch has telegraphed to the effect that substantially he has warned the people of Mashonaland and Matabeleland that the Imperial Government consider themselves responsible for their safety?

MR. S. BUXTON

No, Sir. No such information as that has been given by Sir Henry Loch. What he informed the Company was that, while the Company were entitled to defend themselves, he would not allow an aggressive movement on their part without the assent of Her Majesty's Government.