HC Deb 17 February 1904 vol 130 c13
MR. EUGENE WASON (Clackmannan and Kinross)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether convicts, native or otherwise, have ever been let out for hire in any of our self-governing or Crown colonies except in the case of the Transvaal.

* THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON,) Warwick and Leamington

As I stated in reply to another Question on Monday,† 1,200 convicts are employed at Kimberley in the mines. This is in virtue of a contract between the Government and the De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited.

MR. EUGENE WASON

That is not an answer to my Question.

* MR. LYTTELTON

If the hon. Gentleman thinks it worth while pursuing the matter I will make further inquiries and endeavour to obtain the information he wants.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that convict labour is employed on Robben Island?

MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)

Are there any white men among these 1,200 convicts?

[No answer was returned.]