§ MR. SCOTT (Ashton-under-Lyne)I beg to ask the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies if the Government are prepared to withdraw the notice, recently circulated, on the advice of Lord Selborne, among the Chinese coolies in South Africa, relating to their repatriation, to which there has been little response, and issue a new notice informing the Chinese coolies that they would not be permitted to continue work in the mines in South Africa after the expiration of the term of their original three years' contract, and that they will then be required to leave the country.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Secretary of State desires me to say that he sees no reason to withdraw the recent notice to the Chinese coolies of the conditions by 954 which they may obtain relief from their contracts and return to China at Imperial expense. While it continues in force it is at the very least a safety valve against cruelty or oppression, and will become increasingly effective in proportion as the coolies grow familiar with it. No further proclamation to the coolies is in contemplation at the present time.
§ MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)Does the proclamation really give the coolie an opportunity of going back to China?
§ [No Answer was returned.]