§ MR. BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government has received from the British South Africa Company proposals for the further regulation of native labour in Rhodesia, and will he state whether the subject is now under his consideration; and whether any Reports have been received from the Resident Commissioner in Rhodesia as to the condition and treatment of natives under the British South Africa Company's administration; and, if 267 so, whether they will be communicated to the House.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The British South Africa Company have informed me that the administration of Southern Rhodesia is not yet in a position to submit its proposals. In December last I requested the High Commissioner to instruct Sir M. Clarke to furnish a report upon the recruiting of labour for the mines, but I have not yet received it, owing, no doubt, to the pressure of military questions and the difficulties of communication.