HC Deb 22 April 1901 vol 92 cc889-90
MR. ALFRED DAVIES (Carmarthen Boroughs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, if the Government are unwilling to take legal action against the Chartered Company in respect of the Jameson Raid, he will sell any rights pertaining thereto that the British Government may have as successors to the Transvaal Government, and at what price.

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

I have never stated that His Majesty's Government were unwilling to take legal action in this matter, but that they were advised that they had no legal rights. I have no reason to believe that a purchaser can be found for rights which we are told on the highest authority do not exist.

MR. ALFRED DAVIES

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House who his legal advisers are? And is he aware that the coffers of the Imperial Exchequer are empty—

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member is arguing the question.

MR. ALFRED DAVIES

Will the light hon. Gentleman kindly state who his legal advisers are?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

The ordinary advisers of the Crown.

MR. ALFRED DAVIES

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer one other question? Will he sell the rights if a purchaser can be found to take them, seeing that the coffers of the Exchequer are empty, and that an honest penny may thus be earned?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

Any tender which the hon. Member may wish to make had better be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Will the Law advisers send their fees as conscience, money to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?