§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, at any time since 31st December, 1900, the Colonial Office, or any responsible official thereof, has been approached by the British South Africa Company, or any director thereof, officially or informally, with proposals for or suggestions of a transfer of the undertaking to the British Government; and, in that case, what was the nature of such proposals or suggestions, and what reply was given thereto.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. J. chamberlain,) Birmingham, WNo such proposal has been made to me or to any official in my Department.