HC Deb 02 June 1899 vol 72 cc176-7
MR. HEDDERWICK (Wick Burghs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report of Sir David Chalmers upon the origin of the troubles in the hinterland of Sierra Leone will be laid upon the Table of the House.

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

As I have already stated, I sent the report to Sir F. Cardew for his observations. I have now received these and am considering them with the report. Both documents are very lengthy, and some considerable delay has taken place in printing them. No time will be lost in coming to a conclusion on the numerous questions raised, but I am sorry to say it is not possible for me to fix a date for laying the Papers on the Table, although I hope they will be ready in a fortnight or three weeks.

MR. HEDDERWICK

Will the report be laid on the Table before the Colonial vote is taken?

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think any date has as yet been fixed for the Colonial vote. It is always a matter of arrangement between the two sides of the House.