SIR MANCHERJEE BHOWNAG-GREE (Bethnal Green, N.E.)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to a debate 1094 which took place in the Legislative Council at Pretoria last Tuesday, in which the local Colonial Secretary gave an assurance that he intended to introduce legislation restricting the trading privileges at present enjoyed by British-Indian traders in the Transvaal, when an Amendment was adopted urging the local Government to press to a conclusion the negotiations on this subject with the Imperial Government; and, if so, will he state what steps he proposes to take with reference to such intended legislation; and whether the legislation in question is directed against the subjects of the Mikado of Japan as well as against British-Indian subjects.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.). I have seen the newspaper telegrams to which the hon. Member refers. I am not in a position to make any statement at present as to the legislation in question.