BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY.

HC Deb 20 January 1897 vol 45 cc171-2

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.

moved:— That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the origin and circumstances of the incursion into the South African Republic by an armed force, and into the administration of the British South Africa Company, and to report thereon, and further to report what alterations are desirable in the government of the territories under the control of the Company; That the Committee have leave to hear Counsel to such extent as they shall see fit, and have power to send for persons, papers, and records; That the Committee do consist of Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Bigham, Mr. Blake, Mr. Sydney Buxton, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Mr. Secretary Chamberlain, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Cripps, Sir William Hart Dyke, Mr. John Ellis, Sir William Harcourt, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Wharton, and Mr. George Wyndham; That Seven be the quorum.

MR. T. M. HEALY

said he understood that last Session an undertaking was given that when the Committee was reappointed something would be done to meet the claim of the Irish Nationalists to have an additional member on the Committee, and he hoped to hear that the Colonial Secretary agreed in that view. He had no objection to the Committee itself; he believed it would be most valuable; but Irish Nationalists had to assert their right to claim the presence of an additional member upon it.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

suggested that the point raised by the hon. and learned Member might be postponed until they reached the question of how many members the Committee should consist of; and in the meantime the House might agree to the first two paragraphs, which simply set up the Committee.

MR. J. M. MACLEAN (Cardiff)

said that his objection was based upon different grounds. He did not object to its composition, but to the policy of the reappointment of the Committee at all. He thought circumstances had very much changed since last Session, and that, the House may find itself in the most undignified position if it were to consent to the reappointment of this Committee, and therefore he would ask the right hon. Gentleman if he would consent to put the Motion down for some hour on another day when the objections to the policy of the reappointment of the Committee could be fairly stated.

MR. T. M. HEALY

said that so far as he was concerned he accepted the suggestion of the Colonial Secretary.

MR. SPEAKER

Does the hon. Member for Cardiff persist in his objection?

MR. MACLEAN

Yes, Sir.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

asked to be allowed to postpone the Motion till tomorrow.

Adjourned at Twenty-five minutes before Sis o'clock.