§ MR. SETON-KARR (St. Helens)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any provision is being made for compensation to the loyalists of Cape Colony and Natal for injury suffered by them, in the course and in consequence of the war, to their farms, stock, and property; if so, to what amount, and from what sources, such compensation is to be provided; and whether any portion of the £3,000,000 mentioned in the terms of surrender is to be used for this purpose.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.Provision was made 1108 by the Cape and Natal Governments, who appointed commissions to assess damages after the invasion which took place at the beginning of the war. Seventy-five per cent. of the sum assessed has been advanced to claimants by the Natal Government and 50 per cent. by the Cape Government. The compensation will be provided from Transvaal funds out of the first loan which is raised except in respect of damage done in the Cape Colony by rebels or natives which falls on the Cape Government. The total amount of compensation in the two Colonies is estimated to be over £2,000,000. The grant to which the Question refers is not applicable to losses in the Cape Colony and Natal.