HC Deb 25 March 1907 vol 171 cc1493-4
MR. FULLERTON

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies †See (4) Debates, clxix., 305. whether he has any official information which he can convey to the House as to the decision of the Transvaal Government on the question of the employment of Chinese labourers in that Colony.

MR. HARCOURT

No, Sir.

MR. FIENNES (Oxfordshire, Banbury)

As Clause 50 of the Constitution does not give latitude to the Transvaal Government to regulate its own affairs as it thinks best, may I call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the speech of the Prime Minister of the Transvaal yesterday?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order. The hon. Gentleman is giving information, not asking a Question.

MR. FIENNES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of that speech in which the Prime Minister of the Transvaal said, "We trust Britain, and we want Britain to trust us. Give us latitude to regulate our own affairs as we think best"?

MR. HARCOURT

Yes; I am aware of the speech, and I have no doubt that the Secretary for the Colonies is aware of it.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Transvaal Government decided not to announce its labour policy until the month of June?

MR. HARCOURT

No; that is a subject on which I have no personal information.