§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the extract given in Despatch No. 21 of Parliamentary Paper [Cd. 1096], as to the views of the Cape Government with respect to the treatment of British subjects of Cape Colony in the field or captured since 12th April 1901, formed part of a telegram or despatch, and what was its date; whether it represents the view of 1395 the Cape Ministry as a whole, or of a majority of its members; whether any of the Cape Ministers have recently resigned, and, if so, who; and of whom does the Cape Ministry now consist.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN(1.) The extract formed part of a telegram dated 4th May. The minute of the Cape Government has now been received by despatch. (2.) The Minute has been communicated to the Governor as the expression of the view of the Cape Ministry as a whole. (3). Dr. Smart, Commissioner of Public Works, resigned last week. No addition has been made to the personnel of the Ministry in consequence. It consists of Sir J. Gordon Sprigg, Treasurer and Premier; Sir P. Faure, Colonial Secretary; Mr. Dougald, Commissioner of Public Works; Mr. J. Frost, Minister for Agriculture; Mr. T. L. Graham, Attorney General.