Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he would publish or place in the Library of this House copies of the correspondence between Sir Francis Swettenham, formerly Governor of the Straits Settlements and the Colonial Secretary, who was then the right hon. Member for West Birmingham, with regard to the proposed reduction of the Queen's scholarships, which the right hon. Member for West Birmingham disallowed; and copies of any subsequent correspondence or reports which had induced him to consent to the abolition of these scholarships?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)No, Sir; this correspondence, which is now nine years, old, was of a confidential character and I do not propose to publish it. The scholarships were not abolished by me.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the right hon. Member for West Birmingham (Mr. J. Chamberlain) consented to the publication of this alleged confidential correspondence in the Colony—in the "Gazette," I think? I have part of it here. Will the right hon. Gentleman make that correspondence available to Members of this House by placing copies in the Library?
§ Mr. HARCOURTOh, yes. Any correspondence—and there was some—published, probably in the "Gazette," as my hon. Friend says, shall be placed in the Library.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTHas the right hon. Gentleman any objection to publishing his own correspondence in the same way as the right hon. Member for West Birmingham consented to the publication of his?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the reply.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now able to say whether the Director of Education for the Straits Settlements has ever advised the abolition of the Queen's scholarships, and whether the abolition of these scholarships was carried against his advice; whether, if he is still without information on these subjects, he will obtain copies of any Reports which the Director of Education has made with regard to these scholarships; and if he will also state why he consented to the abolition of these scholarships without having this information?
§ Mr. HARCOURTAs I informed my hon. Friend last Wednesday, I regard this question as one for the Government and Legislature of the Colony, and I do not, therefore, propose to ask for further information. I may add that, though the abolition of the second scholarship has only come into effect this year, it was approved not by me, but by my predecessor, in 1909. The first was abolished in 1908.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West 1111 Birmingham was asked to consent to the reduction of these scholarships he insisted on further inquiries being made locally, and on receiving further local information; and will the right hon. Gentleman say why he himself did not take similar steps when requested to abolish these scholarships?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI am prepared to maintain and accept responsibility for the decision of my predecessor, and I am acquainted with the grounds on which it was arrived at.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think the report of Director of Education material to the question?
§ Mr. HARCOURTYes, Sir, all reports are material to the question.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now state what evidence a candidate for an appointment to the Civil Service of the Straits Settlements is required to produce to show that he satisfies the regulation with regard to age; whether a signed statement by the candidate as to his age is sufficient; and, if not, will he state why he is prepared to take the candidate's word that he satisfies the regulation that every candidate must be of pure European descent on both sides while he is not prepared to take his word as to his age?
§ Mr. HARCOURTBefore the Civil Service Commissioners issue a certificate of qualification they require a candidate who has been successful in the examination to produce a birth certificate or other satisfactory documentary evidence of age. I have not stated that I am prepared to take a candidate's word that he satisfies the regulation as to European descent. In any case of doubt I should require further evidence, but in the great majority of cases no doubt arises.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTHas the right hon. Gentleman any means of forming an opinion as to a person's descent unless he requires some evidence; can he form any opinion by looking at him?
§ Mr. HARCOURTVery often.