§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the 246 Colonies whether, in view of the fact that he has been advised that the claim of the late Transvaal Government against the British South Africa Company in respect of the Jameson Raid did not pass to the Home Government, the present Government of the Transvaal have in like manner been advised that this claim does not pass to them; if so, does this advice apply to any other assets of the late Transvaal Government; and on what ground is a distinction drawn between this claim and any other assets.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON,) Warwick and LeamingtonI am not aware whether the present Transvaal Government have taken advice on the matter, but I would again refer the hon. Member to the answer of my predecessor of 1st April, 1901.† The right of the late South African Republic to press by diplomatic means for compensation for a wrong committed is not in my opinion rightly to be regarded as an asset of that Government.
§ MR. PIRIEIs it not the case that the late Colonial Secretary stated that the Chartered Company would be compelled to make good the injury caused by the Jameson Raid?
§ MR. LYTTELTONThat might be so, but if it were so, it does not appear to have much bearing on the answer I gave that this is not an asset which passes to this Government.
§ MR. PIRIEIs it not the case that the insistence on this claim by President Kruger was the cause of the late war?
§ [No answer was returned.]