§ MR. BLACK (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies 260 whether, on the restoration of the Boer prisoners to the Transvaal and Orange River Colonies, he will recognise all the rights of property of each prisoner as the same existed at the period of his capture so far as the same are capable of being ascertained; whether it is proposed to leave it open to each prisoner to choose the locality in which he is to settle, or whether any restriction is to be placed upon the areas open for re-population by the Boers on their return from captivity, and whether it is proposed to exact the oath of allegiance to His Majesty from each prisoner before repatriating him.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)The question is premature. I am not prepared at present to make any statement regarding the conditions on which the Boer prisoners will be allowed to return.
§ MR. BLACKWill the right hon. Gentleman submit his proposals in this respect to the House for discussion?
§ [No answer was returned.]