§ MR. FABER (York)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a Commission is sitting in Natal, and if so whether appointed by the Government, to determine claims for compensation made by loyalists of Natal for losses incurred by them in connection with the war; out of what fund the compensation awarded will be paid; and whether, if the Commissioners have expressed their intention only to give compensation for direct losses, instructions can be given to them not to limit their inquiry to direct losses, but to take all the circumstances of the case into consideration, and award full compensation for all losses incurred directly or indirectly.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. The Commission was appointed by the Natal Government. As to the second question, compensation will be paid out of the indemnity to be expected from the enemy. As to the third question, Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to interfere with the instructions given to the Commissioners not to entertain claims for indirect losses, the amount of which must always be very hypothetical.