§ MR. THOMAS BAYLEY () Derbyshire, ChesterfieldI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if his attention has been called to the clause in the charter given to the British South Africa Company, wherein the gentlemen applying for the charter, express their belief that the condition of the natives in the Company's territory will be materially improved; (2) whether the Inquiry promised in the Queen's Speech will include all the actions performed by the Chartered Company (from the commencement of its operations) to carry out this clause, and protect the lives and properties of the aforesaid natives and, (3) what action, if any, has been taken by the Chartered Company materially to improve the condition of the natives?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I am aware of the recital (not clause) quoted in the charter referred to in the first paragraph of the Question. I have already stated on Thursday last in answer to the hon. Member for North Cork, that the Government are quite willing that the reference shall be wide enough to cover an investigation into the facts connected with the present rising; and that will, no doubt, include the investigation of any accusations of ill-treatment of the natives. In reply to the third paragraph of the Question, I have to say that by the establishment of medical aid, by the maintenance of a police force, by covering the country with a network of magistrates and commissionerships, by the enforcement of civil and criminal law, and by the making of roads and general development of the country, the British 391 South Africa Company, up to the outbreak of the rebellion, had undoubtedly improved the condition of the natives to a material extent.