§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if, with a view to encourage organised immigration of settlers in the Transvaal and Orange Free State and other parts of South Africa, the Government will consider the advisability of establishing an office or Department of immigration under the control of the Colonial Office to co-operate with the Departments of immigration in the various colonies.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)In answer to my hon. friend I have to say that we are not yet in a position to encourage organised immigration into South Africa. For the present, it seems, the supply of 1190 agricultural settlers on the spot is as great as can conveniently be absorbed. Lord Milner will be consulted as to whether he thinks any such steps as my hon. Mend suggests could be taken, and how soon they could be taken.