§ MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is over thirty years since the Government had guaranteed a loan for any self-governing Colony; and what are the extraordinary circumstances which have induced it to break this long-standing practice in favour of the Transvaal Colony.
§ (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The last occasion was in 1873. The reasons for the present proposal will be fully explained when Parliament is asked to sanction the giving of the guarantee.
§ MR. FELLTo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state how much is outstanding at the present time of the loans guaranteed by the British Government to Colonies with responsible Government.
§ (Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The total net amount outstanding in respect of such loans is £2,268,980 7s. 7d. Full particulars were stated in a reply I gave to an unstarred Question by the hon. Member for Tiverton on the 17th instant †