§ SIR BRAMPTON GURDONTo ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the letters patent conferring responsible government on the white inhabitants of the Transvaal will be issued; and whether opportunity will be given to Parliament to consider the terms thereof before final confirmation.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The House has already had an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the principles of the Transvaal constitution, in accordance with which the letters patent are 675 being framed. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by debating the main question over again before the issue of the letters patent which will be expedited as much as possible. I cannot at the moment fix a precise date, but it is hoped they may issue during the month of November.