HC Deb 18 February 1904 vol 130 cc242-3
MR. HUMPHREY'S-OWEN (Montgomeryshire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Chinese women and children who accompany indentured Chinese labourers in the Transvaal will be subjected to the same restrictions as to residence and otherwise as those labourers.

* MR. LYTTELTON

I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 33 (1) of the Ordinance in Cd. 1898.

DR. MAC NAMARA

May I ask whether the statement in the Question as to the women and children accompanying indentured Chinese labourers is correct. Will they be permitted to accompany the labourers?

* MR. LYTTELTON

I do not quite follow the hon. Member. The Question is whether Chinese women and children who accompany indentured Chinese labourers in the Transvaal will be subjected to the same restrictions as the labourers. That supposes a condition of things in which they do accompany them. It may also suppose a condition of things in which they may follow them.

DR. MACNAMARA

My Question is whether the suggestion in the Question that the Chinese women and children may accompany them is correct.

* MR. LYTTELTON

They may or may not. The Chinese labourer may desire to bring his wife and children with him, or he may desire to see for himself what the conditions are, and bring his wife out afterwards.

DR. MACNAMARA

Then I will ask whether, if he desires that his wife and children shall accompany him. it will be possible for them to do so.

* MR. SPEAKER

This does not arise out of the Question.

MR. WHTTLEY (Halifax)

Will the women and children be subject to the same rigid restrictions as the labourers themselves.

* MR. LYTTELTON

I have answered that Question once.

MR. WHITLEY

No——

* MR. SPEAKER

The Question on the Paper has been answered.