§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the first Lord of the Treasury, whether in the event of a proposal being made by persons who, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, are able to speak for the leaders of the Boer forces for a conference between a representative or representatives on their side, and a representative or representatives on the side of this country, in order to discuss terms of settlement, such proposal would be entertained.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Question of the hon. Member is of a hypothetical character; and he will find a full statement of the position of His Majesty's Government on this subject in the speech of the Prime Minister on the Address in the House of Lords, and in the speech of my right hon. friend the Colonial Secretary.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREBut that is precisely what I cannot find. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman make it clearer?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am afraid that my power of exposition is quite incapable of making clear what the Prime Minister and the Colonial Secretary only leave obscure. I think that their speeches made the position quite clear.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, at any time since the negotiations between Lord Kitchener and General Botha, any proposals with a view to a termination of the war have been received, directly or indirectly, by His Majesty's Government from any person professing to have the authority of the Boer leaders to make such proposal; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government made any inquiries into the nature of the authority in question: and whether any discussions, with a view to the settlement of the issue between this country and the Boer leaders, are now taking place with any persons professing to represent the latter.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThere are three subsidiary questions contained in the Question of the hon. Gentleman. 782 The answer to all of them is in the negative.