§ Mr. VERNEYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury whether the last of the Chinamen imported into South Africa have now been sent back to their own country; whether he can give figures showing separately the numbers of white men and of natives employed in the mines in the year preceding the importation of the Chinese coolies and in each succeeding year, and the numbers of Chinamen 1136 leaving South Africa and remaining there in the period during which their repatriation has been going on; and whether he can give figures showing the output from the mines where the Chinese coolies were at work, beginning from two years before the Boer War down to the present time?
§ MASTER of ELIBANKThe last of the Chinese labourers are, I understand, sailing to-day. I will circulate the figures with the Votes, as they would take a long time to read. [See Written Answers this day's date.]
§ Mr. BYLESMay I ask the hon. Gentleman why a reply to a similar question of mine was neither given in the House, nor circulated with the Votes?
§ MASTER of ELIBANKI gave directions that it should be circulated with the Votes and Proceedings, and I regret very much that it was not done. I will make inquiries. Evidently a mistake has been made.