HC Deb 04 March 1901 vol 90 cc364-5
*MR. ALFRED DAVIES (Carmarthen Boroughs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonics whether he can inform the House if the claim of the late Transvaal Government against the Chartered Company in respect of; the Jameson raid is a British asset; and, if so, whether he intends taking action against the Company for its recovery and, if no action is to be taken, will he explain the ground for so acting.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.

rose to answer the question.

*MR. ALFRED DAVIES

May I rise to order, Sir? I should like to postpone this question until to-morrow, when, I trust, the Secretary of State for the Colonies will be here. I do not want a repetition of last week.

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

If the hon. Member will allow me to explain, I think I can satisfy him. My right lion, friend is unable to be here to-day— [An IRISH MEMBER: He is in the smoke- room]—but he has sent me his answer. Will that satisfy the hon. Gentleman?

*MR. ALFRED DAVIES

Yes, that will do.

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

The claim of the South African Republic against the British South Africa Company was for £1,677,938 3s. 3d., including one million for moral and intellectual damage. This claim Her Majesty's Government declined to entertain as not being reasonable. The question whether the direct loss proved to have been suffered by the South African Republic in consequence of the raid can now be recovered from the British South Africa Company by His Majesty's Government or by the Government of the Colony, as successor to the South African Republic, is a question on which I am seeking the advice of the law officers. On receipt of their opinion His Majesty's Government will take the whole matter into consideration, and will communicate, if necessary, with Sir Alfred Milnor and with the British South Africa Company.

*MR. ALFRED DAVIES

May I ask why the Secretary for the Colonies is not here?

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I will tell the hon. Gentleman. Because it was necessary for my right hon. friend to consult the Prime Minister on a matter of great importance.

*MR. ALFRED DAVIES

But as a matter of fact is not the right hon. Gentleman in the smoke-room now?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

May I ask—

*MR. SPEAKER

The question on the Paper has been fully answered.

Sir JOHN BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will be good enough to be careful not lightly to give up this claim for the reason—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!