§ MR. BUCHANANI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken by him to ascertain the views of the Chinese Government on the regulations with regard to the proposed introduction of indentured Chinese labour into the Transvaal, which in the despatch of 16th January he stated His Majesty's Government considered to be necessary before sanctioning the Ordinance.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Earl PERCY, Kensington, S.)His Majesty's Government are in communication with the Chinese Minister in London on the subject.
§ MR. BUCHANANMay I ask whether, in view of the statement of the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and the promise in the despatch of 16th January, the House will not be asked to express its approval of the Ordinance until it learns whether the Chinese Government has given its assent to these provisions, which the Secretary for the Colonies asserted was considered necessary by the Government.
§ * MR. LYTTELTONI have dealt fully with these points in answer to Questions put to me by the Leader of the Opposition and other hon. Members. [Cries of "No"]