HC Deb 12 March 1908 vol 185 cc1746-7
MR. FELL

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies if the English medical inspector employed to look after the health of the natives in the Transvaal mines has recently been discharged; if so, what reason is alleged for this; and is another medical man to be appointed in his place.

MR. CHURCHILL

Dr. Sansom, the officer in question, is to be retrenched, but I know nothing of the reason or of the arrangements which may be contemplated by the Transvaal Government.

MR. FELL

Does that mean he has. retired?

MR. CHURCHILL

Yes.

MR. LYTTELTON

Do His Majesty's Government absolve themselves from all responsibility for the health of the natives, and do they, in consequence of the grant of self government to the Transvaal, consider they have no longer any power with regard to the protection, of these natives?

* MR. SPEAKER

The right hon. Gentleman must give notice of that.

MR. CLAUDE HAY

Is it proposed to appoint another medical man in the place of the one who is being retrenched?.

MR. CHURCHILL

I do not know the intention of the Transvaal Government, but in view of the right hon. "Gentleman's suggestion that His Majesty's Government takes no responsibility, we have yet to be convinced that the Transvaal Government, which enjoys the support of the great majority of the people in the Transvaal, will not do its duty in the matter.

MR. CLAUDE HAY

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain whether the Transvaal Government propose to make another appointment?

MR. CHURCHILL

I am here to say distinctly that in the communications which we make from time to time to the Transvaal Government we shall be guided by the practice which the Colonial Office pursues in dealing with other responsible Governments, and shall not at all embark upon a policy of nagging them from day to day.