§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the number of Chinese employed in the mines of the Transvaal on the date of posting the repatriation notices; and how many coolies, since the promulgation of those notices, have made application for repatriation.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe number of coolies on the Rand on the date mentioned was about 50,000. I have not yet received information as to the numbers who have applied for repatriation.
§ MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)Is the recent proclamation now in force?
§ MR. LONSDALEWill the hon. Member take steps to inform himself of the number?
§ MR. CHURCHILLHis Majesty's Government have carefully and closely watched the results of the proclamation which has been issued on their authority, and to which they attach great importance. But it is premature at the present moment to judge of the results. In about ten days it will be possible to judge of the effect.