HC Deb 04 March 1908 vol 185 cc669-71
EARL WINTERTON

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a copy of the correspondence that has passed between His Majesty's Government, the Government of the French Republic, and the Transvaal Government, with reference to a supply of indentured labour for the Transvaal mines.

MR. CHURCHILL

As no correspondence has passed with the French Republic I do not feel that the noble Lord's suggestion can be fruitfully adopted.

EARL WINTERTON

asked whether it was not a fact that, according to an answer given some time ago in the House, negotiations had been carried on between the Transvaal Government and the Government of the French Republic with regard to the supply of indentured labour from Madagascar?

MR. CHURCHILL

No, sir.

MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON (Lanarkshire, N.W.)

Are we to understand that no correspondence on this subject has passed between the Government of the Transvaal and the French Government?

MR. CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir, I have said so distinctly. No correspondence has passed between the Government of the Transvaal and the French Government, so far as I am aware.

MR. HOWARD (Cumberland, Eskdale)

asked whether there was any truth in the statement of the hon. Member for Hastings that the Chinese have been replaced by men, women, and children from the New Hebrides.

[No Answer was returned.]

SIR GILBERT PARKER

May I ask whether it is not the case that the right hon. Gentleman stated in this House that negotiations had been proceeding between this Government and the French Government on behalf of the Transvaal Government for the recruiting of natives?

MR. CHURCHILL

I stated that the Transvaal Government had approached us on the subject of approaching the French Government; but I did not say that correspondence had actually taken place, and none has actually taken place.

EARL WINTERTON

I have some doubt as to whether the Question I am about to put arises directly out of the right hon. Gentleman's reply—

* MR. SPEAKER

If the noble Lord has any doubt, he had better not ask it.

EARL WINTERTON

On consideration, Sir, I think I have no doubt.

* MR. SPEAKER

On consideration, I think I have.

EARL WINTERTON

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will afford the House an opportunity of discussing any fresh proposal that may be made by either His Majesty's Government to the Transvaal Government, or by the Transvaal Government to His Majesty's Government, for the supply of indentured labour to the South African mine before any definite action is taken.

MR. CHURCHILL

Questions of business should be addressed to the Leader of the House.