§ SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what will be the composition of the proposed Commission to settle the differences between Her Majesty's Government and the Transvaal Republic; at what period the Commission is expected to come to a decision; and whether such questions as the independence of the Transvaal High Court of Justice, the equality of languages, and educational rights for the non-Boer inhabitants, will come within its purview.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINUntil the proposal for a Joint Commission has been accepted by the Government of the South African Republic I am unable to make a statement as to its composition its functions would be to report to the two Governments whether the proposals recently adopted by the Volksraad will secure to the Uitlanders immediate and substantial representation, and if not what Amendments would secure this result. I do not anticipate that this will take many days.
§ SIR. ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether we are to understand that the inquiries by the proposed commission are to be limited to the discussion of the franchise?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have stated exactly what the Commission is to consider. I have nothing to add to my answer.