HC Deb 30 January 1902 vol 101 cc1311-2
MR. C. P. SCOTT (Lancashire, Leigh)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, in view of the statement made by Lord Kitchener to the Burgher Police Committee, as reported in an enclosure of Lord Milner's despatch to the Colonial Secretary of 22nd January, 1901, to the effect that the Secretary for the Colonies had foreshadowed an enlightened progressive Government in which the burghers themselves would take a prominent share, and which would ensure to them and their children all their rights of property as well as their ancient laws and customs, it is intended to defer any legislative interference with such rights of property and ancient laws and customs until such time as the body of the burgher population of the Transvaal can at least have cognizance of such new legislation, and can be consulted whether directly or indirectly.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I can give no pledge, but it is not intended to interfere by legislation more than is absolutely necessary for the proper administration of the country.

MR. C. P. SCOTT

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, in few of the facts that, as stated by Lord Milner in his despatch of 14th December, 1901, permanent laws of a fundamental character were at that time already drafted by the legal adviser to the Transvaal Administration for submission to the Legislative Council when it should have been called into existence, and that, in particular, an ordinance relating to the mining of gold and other precious metals was stated by the legal adviser to be in course of preparation, it has been decided to create a Legislative Council for the Transvaal to whom these matters shall be referred, or whether they will be determined by the Executive Council consisting of the Administrator and Heads of Departments only.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

It is proposed to create a Legislative Council as soon as practicable, but I cannot fix any time for this which must depend on the state of the country and the progress of military operations.

MR. C. P. SCOTT

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that no "laws of a fundamental character" shall be passed?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I have already said that I cannot give any pledge.