§ MR. WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, early last October, Sir Walter Hely Hutchinson, Governor of Natal, reported to Her Majesty's Government that he had received an offer from the Chairman of the Refugee Uitlander Committee of 75,000 able bodied men who were willing to be enrolled as Colonial Volunteers; what reply was returned by the Governor to the deputation; and whether any steps had been taken to enrol these recruits for active service.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The number 75,000 is obviously a mistake, and on the 10th October Sir W. Hely Hutchinson reported an offer of 3,000 by the Refugee Uitlander Council. He informed the deputation that he would ask me to recommend the enrolment of 1,000, and on 16th October he was informed that the General Officer commanding had received instructions accordingly.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many Uitlanders are enrolled for active service?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINYes; I can state the number if notice is given of the question. Some thousands; but I cannot say exactly without notice.