§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Natal Government entered into contracts in writing in 1902, through the Agent-General in London, with Civil servants then holding appointments under the Imperial Government, guaranteeing certain initial salaries and fixed annual increments till a fixed maximum was reached; whether, at the beginning of last year, the Natal Government broke this contract by reducing salaries by one-eleventh; whether this year, in addition to reduction, the annual increment to which they were entitled by their agreement is withdrawn, and the maximum salary which they were led to expect under their contract in many cases reduced from £500 to £300; and whether any steps will be taken to compel the Natal Government to carry out the terms of their contract with those men.
§ THE UNDER - SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL, Manchester, N.W.)The Colonial Office does not appear to have been cognisant of the contracts referred to, and the matter is one which falls entirely within the province of the responsible Government of Natal.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLWill the hon. Gentleman make further inquiries?
§ MR. CHURCHILLYes, if the hon. Member desires it.