§ MR. MACKARNESS (Berkshire, Newbury)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the total number of Imperial troops which have been brought to the Rand district of the Transvaal in connection with the recent strike of white miners; how long it is proposed to keep the troops there; and upon whom the expense of their removal and maintenance there will fall.
§ MR. HALDANETroops to the number of 1,400 in all have been sent to the Rand district. I have no knowledge as to the length of time it will be necessary to keep them there. A claim for the extra cost, if any, involved in their despatch from their stations will be made upon the Colonial Government.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLasked whether the troops were sent at the request of the Executive Government or at the behest of Lord Selborne, acting merely as an Imperial officer.
§ MR. HALDANEThey were sent, under the control of the general officer, at the request of the Colonial Government.
§ MR. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of debiting the cost of these troops, not to the Colonial Government, but to the Rand Chamber of Mines?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. HAROLD COXWill the right hon. Gentleman explain what he means by extra cost? Does he mean extra cost over and above keeping them in this country, or extra cost over and above keeping them in Pretoria?
§ MR. HALDANENo. The troops are there, and they cost a certain amount there; and if they are called upon to 149 discharge civilian duties in aid of the civilian power that is a matter for the civilian authorities.