HC Deb 01 May 1902 vol 107 cc419-20
MR. CAINE (Cornwall, Camborne)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a number of Cornish and other miners who left this country in January and February last, under War Office permits, to take up their old employment in mines at Johannesburg, are detained at Cape Town, and cannot proceed further in consequence of the refusal of the Permit Office at Cape Town to grant proper facilities of travel: and if he will telegraph instructions that all miners who can furnish satisfactory evidence of engagement at mines which are now working shall be immediately allowed to proceed to their destination.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)

I am informed by Lord Milner that special arrangements have been made to meet the mining industry, whereby, when authority is given to drop a number of stamps, permits for men to do the work entailed are granted, irrespective of the ordinary allowance of permits. No miners, therefore, who really have employment to come to are delayed at the coast, as the mining companies requisition for any men they require, and permits are authorised at once. Miners referred to as being detained at Cape Town probably fall under one of two categories. Either they were not employed immediately before the war by mines now working, or they have been promised employment on mines which have not yet started crushing.

MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

Is it a fact that priority is always given to men who were engaged as miners before the war broke out?

Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN

Yes, I believe that is so.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of the men formerly employed in the Johannesburg mines are kept back because their places have been filled by Kaffirs?

Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN

No, that is not true.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Well, I know it.

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! It is a most irrelevant Question.