HC Deb 05 November 1902 vol 114 cc137-8
MR. THOMAS BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he has consulted with Lord Milner and can now give an estimate as to how much of the three million pounds granted for the rebuilding and restocking of the Boer farms at the signing of peace has been spent on the purposes for which it was granted.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon):

My right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary is unable to be here, and has asked me to read his answer. It is as follows:—"Upwards of £400,000 has been paid out of the Transvaal Treasury for repatriation purposes, and about £150,000 in the Orange River Colony. This is in addition to the cost of the animals and stores taken over from the military, which will amount to considerably over £1,000,000. Large additional contracts have also been entered into for cattle and supplies, but I am not able to state the exact amounts at present."

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

Will the cost of the animals come out of the grant?

MR. RITCHIE

It will be taken out of the funds placed at the disposal of Lord Milner.

MR. LOUGH

What use will be made of them?

MR. RITCHIE

I presume they will be given to the Boers.

MR LOUGH

That is what I want get at.

MR. LAMBERT (Devonshire, South Molton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much of the £3,000,000 free grant to burghers has been issued, upon what system has the grant been distributed, and what amounts have been spent upon seed corn, seed potatoes, horses, mules, oxen, implements, and expenses of administration.

MR. RITCHIE (for Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN)

In reply to the first part of this Question, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Chesterfield. Relief is being distributed to the burghers by local commissions appointed under Article 10 of the Terms of Surrender. I have no detailed information with regard to the points raised in the last part of the hon. Member's Question.

MR. LAMBERT

Are these grants to the burghers treated as loans as free gifts? Can the right hon. Gentleman get me the information asked for in the latter part of the Question?

MR. RITCHIE

The hon. Gentleman will understand that I am only answering for the Colonial Secretary. He must give of any further Question.