§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consider the advisability of making representations to the Government of Natal with a view to the provision of adequate facilities for the industrial and primary education of Indian immigrants in that colony; and whether he has any official information bearing upon the statements in the latest official Report by Mr. P. A. Barnett, the Superintendent of Education, as to the effect of the present neglect in this respect in confining the Indian population to petty industries, in discouraging it from acquiring arts and crafts, and in increasing crime.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. LYTTELTON,) Warwick and LeamingtonI am not in a position, in the circumstances, to make such representations to the Government of a self-governing Colony on a matter within its competence. I notice that the amount set down in the Natal Estimates for Indian education for 1904–5 is £5,588 as compared with £4,140 for the previous year. The subject is one for the consideration of the local Government and for discussion in the local Parliament.