HC Deb 23 July 1913 vol 55 cc2023-5
11. Mr. OUTHWAITE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will request the Governor of the Union of South Africa to invite the Transvaal Federation of Trade Unions to submit a statement to him representing the workers' views on the industrial causes which led to the recent strike, and the grounds for their contention that the manner in which British troops were used was unwarrantable; and will he have this statement submitted to him by cable and published before the Debate on the subject?

Mr. HARCOURT

I am not prepared to ask the Union Government through the Governor-General to invite such a statement for publication here, more especially in view of the fact that a Commission has just been appointed to inquire judicially into the causes of the recent disorders.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the dispatch he has promised for the coming debate on the use of the troops will not simply be the official views of the Government of South Africa, and is it not right that the views of the organised workers there should be heard?

Mr. HARCOURT

As to the contents of the despatch, which will not arrive until the morning of the 28th, we must wait and see, but I should imagine it will give a very full statement of all that has occurred.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Is it not a fact that the condition is very serious, and that the number of troops has been increased upon the Rand, and that natives are being expatriated?

Mr. HARCOURT

I have no information that leads me to believe either of these statements.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Has the right hon. Gentleman not seen the information which has appeared in the Press, and has he not reason to think that Lord Gladstone is deceiving him as to the position on the Rand?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman has no right to use an expression of that kind. I pointed out to him more than once that if he has any charge to bring against, the Governor of the Cape, his proper course is to put a Motion on the Paper, so that it can be properly discussed. He has certainly no right to make insinuations of that kind in a supplementary question.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

On a point of Order—

Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order.