§ MR. MACKARNESSTo ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have yet decided upon the form of constitution to be granted to the Orange River Colony, and when the nature of it will be made public.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The various important questions connected with the granting of a constitution to the Orange River Colony are now being considered in the light of the Report of the Ridgeway Committee which has lately been submitted to His Majesty's Government. No definite statement can be made as to the date of any declaration of policy, but Lord Elgin is not without hopes that this may take place before Parliament separates for the Christmas holiday.