§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSON (Northumberland, Tyneside)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the expressions of popular indignation in India at the recent treatment of British-Indians in the Transvaal, His Majesty's Government have taken any steps towards remedying the grievances in question.
§ COLONEL SEELYHis Majesty's Government are well aware of the sympathy which has been excited by allegations of ill-treatment of British Indians in the Transvaal, and they are in communication on the subject with the Colonial Government, who, they feel assured, have no desire to take legislative or administrative measures involving unnecessary harshness. The Secretary of State has been in friendly communication with the Transvaal Government on this subject, and a considerable number of concessions have already been made. The principal remaining grievance of the Indians is, as I understand, their fear that they may not secure a supply of professional men to attend to their wants, and the Secretary of State is in communication with the Transvaal Government with a view to ascertain whether it is not possible to secure what is wanted by means of administrative action. I have hope that the representations of the Secretary of State may not be without effect.
§ *MR. REESIs the contention that the Transvaal Government promised to repeal the Act complained of admitted?
§ COLONEL SEELYNo, Sir, the statement is made on one side and denied on the other.