§ MR. WHITLEYI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of Lord Milner's recent statement regarding the finances of the Transvaal, he proposes at an early date to call on the guarantors to underwrite the £10,000,000 which should have been paid in January last towards the promised war contribution.
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. AUSTEN Chamberlain,) Worcestershire, E.As regards Lord Milner's speech I must refer the hon. Member to the Answer which the Secretary of State for the Colonies gave to a Question addressed to him yesterday;† but there is nothing in any report of that speech which [I have seen to lead me to think that the present would be a suitable time for the issue of the first instalment of the War Contribution Loan.
† See (4) Debates, cxxxv., 1062.
§ MR. WHITLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman give no indication that he has a hope of receiving this contribution at an early date.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI have no reason to abandon the hope of receiving the contribution, but I am quite unable to give any indication of the time when the issue of the loan will take place.
§ MR. WHITLEYIs there any hope of receiving it this year?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI have answered the Question.