HC Deb 15 June 1899 vol 72 cc1182-3
SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government have confirmation of the statement that the Boer Government have spent considerable sums of money upon an anti-British propaganda in Cape Colony.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Before this question is answered I should like to draw attention to a matter of form. I submit that this question is grossly out of order. The observation "Anti-British propaganda" is an argumentative expression. It is a mere matter of opinion, and as such the question cannot be asked. It is like saying "Anti-Boer propaganda."

*MR. SPEAKER

I do no see how it could be put otherwise.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I have no information which I can give to the House.