§ SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of Commandant Botha's objection to negotiate with Sir Alfred Milner, he will consider the expediency whenever negotiations may he renewed of requesting the Premiers of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to act with Lord Kitchener as an advising council.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.No, Sir; His Majesty's Government have no intention of superseding Sir Alfred Milner as suggested by the hon. Member.
§ MR. C. P. SCOTT (Lancashire, Leigh)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can give any information as to the meaning of General Botha's statement, in his letter of 16th March, to the effect that Lord Kitchener would certainly not be surprised that he was unable to accept the terms offered, because they differed from those which had been discussed in the interview of 28th February, and if he can state in what respect they differed, and what were the points on which the negotiations consequently broke down.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have no information beyond what is contained in the published Papers.