§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government has considered the position of a number of British merchants carrying on business at Pretoria and Johannesburg, who shut up their premises and abstained from further dealing with the enemy after the beginning of the war; whether these merchants will receive compensation for their losses, where their stores of goods have been commandeered without payment by the Boers, or where losses have been caused otherwise than by their default; and whether permits will now be given on an adequate scale for these merchants to send trustworthy agents up the country to fully restart their businesses.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.Yes, sir. I have considered the position of the merchants referred to, and am aware that in many cases they have suffered unmerited loss, but such loss has been suffered by other classes as a consequence of the war, and no pledge can be given to pay compensation. With regard to permits, the issue is entirely in the hands of the local authorities, with whose discretion I cannot interfere, but I am informed that the number of permits granted has been largely increased lately.
§ MR. CHANNINGSeeing that this question of compensation affects other classes as well as those indicated in the Question, may I take it that the matter is not absolutely closed in the view of the Government?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI really cannot add anything to the answer I have already given.