HC Deb 01 April 1901 vol 92 cc329-30
MR. ALFRED DAVIES (Carmarthen, Boroughs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now inform the House what action he intends taking against the Chartered Company in respect of the claim of the late Transvaal Government for the Jameson Raid.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.

His Majesty's Government have taken legal opinion and have been advised that the right to exact reparation for any damage caused to the South African Republic by the raid has not passed to His Majesty's Government as the result of the conquest and annexation of the State; and that there is no legal liability on the part of the Chartered Company to pay to His Majesty's Government, as representing the Government of the late South African Republic, any compensation in respect of the raid. In view of this opinion His Majesty's (Government are not aware of any steps

and other Public Offices on the 31st day of March, 1901, specifying whether held in England or Ireland (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 189, of Session 1900):—

that can be taken by them in respect of the claim of the late Transvaal Government.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

Is not one leading member of the Chartered Company the son-in-law of His Majesty?

MR. ALFRED DAVIES

Did not the Chartered Company say that they were prepared to pay for the Jameson Raid?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I should be sorry to answer the question in quite such general terms; but the Chartered Company did undertake that if the claim of the South African Republic were submitted to arbitration they would be content to accept the award, subject, of course, to a fair reference.

MR. ALFRED DAVIES

Finally, Sir, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us a little more information to satisfy our minds that there is no claim?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir; I have given the legal opinion which the Government have received, and I cannot go beyond that.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Does the Chartered Company escape all liability in this matter?

[No answer was returned.]