HC Deb 24 January 1902 vol 101 cc785-6
MR. TREVELYAN (Yorkshire W.R., Elland)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the refusal of his Department to supply the House with information as to the number of Natives to whom arms have been given in South Africa arises from want of information or considerations of public policy; and, if the latter, can he state what those considerations are.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, Westhoughton

Arms are †See page 659. given to natives in South Africa only for self-protection, and under military control. No report is forwarded of the number of such natives, and therefore I have no information.