§ EARL WINTERTON (Sussex, Horsham)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will state the number of Chinese labourers who were working in the South African mines on 1st January, 1906, and on 1st January, 1908.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe official returns show the numbers employed on the last day of the month. The figures are, 31st December, 1905, 47,267, but for the purpose of accurate calculation, to this should be added the 16,000 coolies liable to be imported on licences issued under the late Government during the last few weeks of its tenure of office, making a total of 63,267. The total number on 31st December, 1907, was 35,676.
§ EARL WINTERTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will cause a copy of his answer to be circulated with the Votes, and others to be sent to the past and present presidents of the Liberal Publication Department?
§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)Are these slowly-disappearing Chinese being replaced by natives?
§ MR. CHURCHILLQuestions which are answered orally are not circulated with the Votes, according to the present procedure of the House, which I have no power to alter. As to the other part of the noble Lord's Question, I am sure he does not expect me to take it seriously. The places of the repatriated Chinese have been more than filled by natives.
§ SIR GILBERT PARKERWhy, then, is the Transvaal Government proceeding to recruit natives from Madagascar?
§ * MR. SPEAKERThat hardly arises out of the Question on the Paper.