HC Deb 24 July 1907 vol 178 cc1579-80
SIR GILBERT PARKER

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Secretary of State for the Colonies proposes to avail himself of the services of the Under-Secretary for a visit to British East Africa and Uganda; if so, at whose cost such a visit will be undertaken ; and whether he will suggest, through the Secretary of State, that the visit should be carried out by a permanent official of the Colonial Office who deals with matters relating to the Protectorate, so that the Colonial Office may have the permanent advantage of an official personally acquainted with the district to be visited.

THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling Burghs)

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to Answer his Question, as it personally affects my right hon. friend the Under-Secretary. As the hon. Member was informed on Monday, the Secretary of State for the Colonies has expressed a desire that my right hon. friend should, during the autumn, visit the East Africa Protectorate and Uganda; and unless unforeseen circumstances should prevent him my right hon. friend intends to do so. It will be both convenient and useful that he should be accompanied by a permanent official from the Department. The usual practice will be followed of charging the expense of such a mission, which is not likely to be considerable, to public funds, but my right hon. friend's personal expenses for living and transport, other than Government transport, will be defrayed by himself.

*MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)

asked if the Under-Secretary would endeavour to include British Central Africa in the visit, the distance from East Africa Protectorate not being very great.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

My fear is that we may never see him back again.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

Why not in regard to expenses follow the example of the late Ministry?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Apart from other circumstances, it is the wish of my right hon. friend co pay his personal expenses.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Why not give him a man-of-war?