HC Deb 12 August 1907 vol 180 cc794-5
MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received any information to the effect that the Government

† See (4) Debates, clxxx., 315–6.

of the Transvaal Colony proposes to reestablish the field cornets as part of the administrative machinery of that Colony; and, if so, will the field cornets hold the same positions that they held prior to the war.

SIR GILBEET PARKER

I beg also to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Bill introduced in the Transvaal Legislature for the re-establishment of the field cornet system was laid in draft before this Government previous to its introduction; what will be the duties and responsibilities of the new organisation; and whether it is intended to have any military functions.

MR. CHURCHILL

The Bill in question was not laid in draft form before His Majesty's Government: it is one which is fully within the competence of the responsible Government of the Transvaal. The Secretary of State has no information as to the details of the Bill beyond what is contained in Press telegrams, not always conceived with the intention of representing the legislative projects of the Transvaal Government in the most favourable light.

Mr. MOLTENO (Dumfriesshire)

Has not the field cornet system always prevailed in the South African Colonies since they were settled?

MR. CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir.