HC Deb 12 March 1908 vol 185 c1745
MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many natives are required to replace every 100 Chinese repatriated from the Transvaal mines; and is the estimate of 150 natives being required to do the work of 100 Chinese approximately correct.

MR. CHURCHILL

Sir, I cannot say. A more interesting calculation would be how many white men at high wages and with the best machinery would replace 100 of either natives or Chinese.

MR. FELL

Is it not the case that it is in the knowledge of the Colonial Office that it takes considerably more natives than Chinamen to do the same work?

MR. CHURCHILL

I have answered the Question. I said I could not give the relative figures.

EARL WINTERTON

In view of the statements made by his Party at the last election, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ascertain?

* MR. SPEAKER

I must really enter a protest against the practice of introducing a lot of fresh matter in supplementary Questions. A Question was asked of the light hon. Gentleman and he said he did not know. That, surely, is sufficient for the time being.

MR. STANLEY WILSON

rose to put a further Question.

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order.