§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any communications, with a view to peace, have been received from the Boer leaders by the authorities in South Africa, and whether the Government have any statement to make as to their nature.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I do not think it is possible for us to go farther at the present 127 moment than to say that a message from the Boer leaders was communicated to us by Lord Kitchener on Saturday, that a reply has been sent to it, and that we are expecting a further communication.
§ SIR H CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI would further beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the uncertainties of the situation, and the strong hope of peace, it would not be wise to defer the making of any statement as to financial proposals which might have the effect of adding to the public burdens, and which in their nature must necessarily depend, to a great extent, on the results of the present events.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I do not think that the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman is one which can be complied with, for reasons which I shall explain when I make my statement.