§ MR. M'DERMOTT (Kilkenny, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a report from Sir David Barbour on the financial condition of the Transvaal and of the Orange River Colony; and, if so, whether it includes an estimate of the value of the Beewaarplaatzen; whether His Majesty's Government are aware that the Government of the late South 1350 African Republic has decided to sell the mining rights in this property by public auction, the proceeds to be applied to the general revenue of the Republic; and whether His Majesty's Government intend to dispose of those rights by a similar process or by allowing the present mine owners to acquire them at a valuation.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.Sir David Barbour has not yet completed his investigation, and until he has done so I cannot publish any communication from him. He has been specially asked to report on the subject of the Beewaarplaatzen.