§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in the course of operations for clearing the country in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, the natives are deprived of their cattle, sheep, grain, and agricultural implements; if so, whether any compensation is made to the owners for the loss, and 410 what measures are taken to prevent a famine among the native population in the denuded districts.
§ MR. BRODRICKEvery effort is made to secure natives from any avoidable loss. Payments to natives for their cattle have been reported in various instances. Lord Kitchener is fully alive to the difficulty of the situation in regard to supplies.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEAre the natives taken into refugee camps?
§ MR. BRODRICKI cannot say what is done in each case; but they are safeguarded as far as possible from the rigours of the war.