HC Deb 16 March 1908 vol 186 cc187-9
MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if, having regard to the responsibilities of the Government under the Transvaal constitution in respect of the natives employed in the mines, he will take care that Dr. Sanson, the medical officer appointed by this Government to look after the health of the natives, and who has recently been retrenched by the Transvaal Government, is replaced by some other equally efficient medical officer.

MR. CHURCHILL

It is not in the power of the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make appointments to the Transvaal Civil Service.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Is it not in the power of the British Government to make representations to the Transvaal on a question which was reserved for special consideration?

MR. CHURCHILL

The Colonial Secretary, in the name of His Majesty's Government, can make representations on any subject at any time to any self-governing colony in the British Empire.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Will not the Government under the circumstances make representations to the Transvaal Government on a matter which so intimately concerns the well-being of the natives employed in the Transvaal mines?

MR. CHURCHILL

For the last few years, and particularly since the establishment of responsible Government, there has been a steady decline in the mortality of natives on the Rand, and before we could undertake to make special representations on a small point of administrative detail, we should have to be convinced that there was an improper state of things justifying such action. That has not been proved.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Will the Government take pains to inquire if the conditions now are such as to warrant doing without the services of an inspector whose action has been of such benefit to the natives?

MR. CHURCHILL

Our communications with the Transvaal Government are very numerous, but we are anxious that they should not be more so than in the ease of other self-governing Colonies.

MR. FELL

Has there been an improvement in the health of the natives?

MR. CHURCHILL

Since 1904 there has been a steady improvement in the mortality rate. It lies with hon. Members asking these Questions, at any rate, to show some prima facie grounds for our interfering with a responsible Government in this matter.