§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for
† See (4) Debates, exix., 1283.1635 the Colonies if he has any official information showing separately the number of white men and Kaffirs employed in and about gold mines in the Transvaal at the commencement of 1898 and 1903, respectively, and any similar information in respect to the number of persons employed in and about coal mines in the Transvaal; and, if not, will he obtain the information.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI am unable to give complete figures for the dates mentioned by the hon. Member. On the 31st December, 1897, there were 8,060 whites, and about 70,000 natives employed on the gold mines. The average numbers employed on the coal mines during 1897 were 472 whites and 6,661 natives. For January last the figures are: On gold mines, 10,766 whites and 42,994 natives; on coal mines, 378 whites and 6,542 natives.