HC Deb 16 February 1904 vol 129 c1492
MR. NORMAN (Wolverhampton, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received communications from any of His Majesty's representatives in the West Indies informing him that British native labour is available there for the Transvaal Colony; if so, will he state the purport of such communication, and what reply has been made to it.

* MR. LYTTELTON

I have received a despatch from the Governor of Barbados asking whether he may permit steps to be taken for recruiting labourers in Barbados for service in South Africa. No reply has yet been made to this despatch pending reference to Lord Milner on the subject.

MR. NORMAN

In sending the despatch did the Governor of Barbados express any opinion as to the desirability or otherwise?

* MR. LYTTELTON

Yes.

MR. NORMAN

In favour?

* MR. LYTTELTON

Yes, Sir.

MR. MALCOLM (Suffolk, Stowmarket)

Did he say how many recruits he could get?

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

Has the import of labourers into Barbados been stopped?

[No answer was returned.]