§ *MR. LEHMANN (Leicestershire, Market Harborough)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to carry out the pledges given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, to annul or repeal or amend the Chinese Labour Ordinance, so as to prevent the new Transvaal Government from inheriting the present Ordinance and from finding in force all its powers, and especially the power of re-enlisting or detaining, under the conditions of that Ordinance, the coolies now in the Transvaal.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI would refer my hon. friend to my Answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne. †
§ *MR. LEHMANNWhat will be the practical effect on the coolies still serving supposing a date is fixed during the period their indentures are still in force?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI thought I had made it clear that when the Transvaal received responsible government a date would be fixed for the order to lapse, and the powers under which Chinese coolies are imported will cease unless in the meantime another Ordinance is introduced which does not present the same objection to His Majesty's Government.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDAnd when will the Transvaal get responsible government?
§ MR. CHURCHILLwas understood to say he hoped to make an announcement on that subject in five or six weeks time.
† See col. 953.1136
§ *MR. LEHMANNCan the right hon. Gentleman now indicate the date to be fixed for the termination of the Ordinance?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI can add nothing to my Answer.