§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies two questions—first, whether he has any news regarding Kumassi, concerning which rather startling reports have been circulated; and, in the second place, when the papers relating to the Australian Bill will be in the hands of Members.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINPapers, I hope, will be distributed with regard to the Australian Commonwealth Bill on Saturday morning. As regards the other question asked by the right hon. Gentleman, I have heard with great astonishment since I came into the House that a report of the character he suggests has appeared in an evening paper. All I can say is that I have no official information whatever confirmatory of it. The last information which I had from the Gold Coast reported that large reinforcements which had been sent from Nigeria had arrived at Accra, Cape Coast Castle, and were being sent up immediately to Kumassi. I hope, therefore, they will arrive in time to prevent any such possibilities as are rumoured.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the officers wounded in the recent engagement?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINWe have no information.