§ CAPTAIN BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the case that the Representative Assembly of Cape Colony has passed a resolution favouring the annexation of British Bechuanaland to Cape Colony; and whether, before assenting to that proposal, the Government will be careful to give the House of Commons an opportunity for discussing it?
§ *SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether Her Majesty's Government have come to a decision with regard to the proposed annexation of British Bechuanaland to the Cape Colony; and whether there have been any protests from native races against this annexation?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONA resolution such as that mentioned in the question was passed a few days ago by both Houses of the Cape Parliament. Her Majesty's Government have not as yet had an opportunity of duly considering these resolutions; I cannot, therefore, as yet make any statement on the subject. Petitions against the proposed annexation have been received from two native chiefs and their councillors, which will be duly considered with other matters bearing on the case.
§ *SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTHas Khama sent in a protest?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONKhama is not in that part of the country.
§ CAPTAIN BETHELLsaid, that the hon. Gentleman had not answered the latter part of the question.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThat question will depend on the position which the Government may take up with regard to it.