HC Deb 27 January 1902 vol 101 cc952-3
* MR. ALFRED DAVIES (Carmarthen Boroughs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will say whether the revenue of Cape Colony has increased since the war commenced; and if so, will he give the amount of such increase; And will he say by what means the Cape Colony is paying about £200,000 per month for the war.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.

I am not able to give the actual amount up to the present date, but I may state that the revenue for the year ended 30th June, 1899, was £6,317,000; for the year ended 30th June, 1900, £6,326,000; for the nine months ended 31st March, 1901, £5,719,000, a net increase of £1,266,000 as compared with the same nine months of the previous year. I have to refer the Hon. Member to the statements made in the speech of the Cape Prime Minister published on page 168 of the last South African Blue Book Cd. 903.

* MR. ALFRED DAVIES

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly give me the grounds for this increase?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir. If the hon. Gentleman wants further information he must put down a Question.

* MR. ALFRED DAVIES

Will the Colonial Secretary give me—

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

* MR. ALFRED DAVIES

I was only going to ask would the right hon. Gentleman give me a copy of his reply to my Question.