§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any correspondence has passed between him and Lord Milner or the Chartered Company in regard to the admission of Chinese indentured labour into Rhodesia; and whether, if so, it will be laid on the Table of the House before assent be given to any Ordinance permitting the introduction of the said labour; whether, before that assent be given, the House will have an opportunity to express its opinion upon the matter; and whether he can state how many British subjects are now domiciled in Rhodesia, exclusive of officials of the Chartered Company or of the railroads that have obtained their capital through that Company.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) (1.) (2.) There has been correspondence, and Papers will be laid before assent is given to the necessary notice permitting the introduction of Chinese labourers into Southern Rhodesia. (3.) This Question must be addressed to the First Lord. (4.)
† See (4) Debate,, exxx., 972.736 The European population of Southern Rhodesia according to a census taken on 31st May, 1901, was 11,032. I have no accurate figures as to the officials of the Chartered Company or of the railroads.