§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can say why the letter in reference to Chinese labour in South Africa from the Chinese Ambassador, which was written on the 12th 981 February, was only presented to Members in a Parliamentary Paper on the 18th February, the day after the debate on Chinese labour.
§ EARL PERCYThe publication of the note of the 12th February from the Chinese Minister was delayed in order that the letter from the Colonial Office, of the 15th, should be laid at the same time. One hundred copies of the Parliamentary Paper were sent to the House of Commons on the 16th, and the remaining copies were delivered at the Vote Office at mid-day on the 17th.