§ MR. EVAN LLEWELLYN (Somerset, N.)On behalf of the hon. Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield (Sir ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT), I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to furnish military aid and food supplies to the British colonists in Matabeleland and Mashonaland during the present crisis. In putting the Question the hon. Member said he desired to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman had received any confirmation of the report in the morning papers with regard to the stoppage of troops at Durban on their way to Beira?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThat does not arise out of the Question, but, as it is a matter of public interest, I have much pleasure in saying that there is no truth in that statement. ["Hear, hear!"] We have the consent of the Portuguese Government—that is, of course, for the passage of troops for the purpose of putting down the insurrection. With regard to the Question on the Paper, I may point out that I have again and again—I think three times—in answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, stated that the Government have placed and are ready to place at the disposal of Sir Frederick Carrington, who is wholly responsible, all the forces he may require, but up to the present time, I am informed, he considers that the forces at his disposal or on the way are amply sufficient. ["Hear, hear!"]