§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the telegram, dated 7th June, from Sir Alfred Milner, warning miners who had been employed in the Transvaal mines before the outbreak of hostilities, and who had returned to England in consequence of the war, and were then about to start for the Transvaal from Southampton, to postpone their return to South Africa, was published by the authority of Her Majesty's Government; by what authority, whether of the Imperial Government or of the Cape Government, was Sir Alfred Milner empowered to announce that such miners would be delayed at Cape ports, and would not be permitted for a couple of months to return to their work in the Transvaal mines, and by what means is it contemplated to enforce the prohibition of English miners returning to their work in the Transvaal; and, will the Government take any, and, if so, what steps to remove the impediments to the return of the Uitlanders who were before the war working operatives in mines to the Transvaal.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe reply to the first question is Yes. As to the second and third questions, hostilities are still proceeding in the Transvaal, and whatever measures are necessitated by the military situation will be taken and enforced by the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief in South Africa. The resumption of trade and industry will not be delayed a moment longer than the military exigencies require.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLAm I not correct in saying that the order came from Sir A. Milner and not Lord Roberts? Was it on the authority of the Home Government or the Colonial Government that Sir A. Milner acted?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI answered the first question in the affirmative. It was on the authority of the Home Government.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the enforced absence of these English miners their places have been filled up by black labour?
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!