§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been directed to the case of Mr. A. L. M. Mitchell, who having served from 1888 to 1902 in the employ of the Colonial Office in West Africa and British Honduras was, on the suppression of his last post of inspector commanding the British Honduras Constabulary, appointed to the Straits Settlement Police, but was not permitted to take up the position owing to ill-health, the result of his service in West Africa; and if so, will he say whether this gentleman will be re-employed or receive any pension or gratuity for his service in unhealthy climates under the Colonial Office.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINMr. Mitchell has received the gratuity to which he was entitled on the abolition of his post in British Honduras. The circumstances under which he left West Africa were not such as to entitle him to pension or gratuity in respect of his service there. He was offered the appointment of assistant-superintendent of police in the Straits Settlements, and accepted the post, but was unable to take it up owing to ill-health. His wishes for re-employment on the occurrence of suitable vacancies will not be overlooked, but it is impossible to make any definite promise on the subject.