§ Motion made, and Question proposed. "That the Bill be now read the third time."
§ Mr. BOOTHBefore we agree to the Third Reading of this Bill, I would like to ask the Secretary for the Colonies to answer a question which I have already put the second time; that is, whether the East African Protectorates are in the British Empire or not, and is it incumbent on the forces of the Crown to defend them or not?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLON I ES (Mr. Harcourt)I do not think that the House would wish me just now to go into a long legal definition of the difference between a Crown Colony and a Protectorate, but, of course, the Crown of Great Britain exercises a greater amount of authority in a Protectorate than any other authority in the world, and any protection that may be required will not be wanting for these Protectorates any more than for any other place for which we have any responsibility.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read the third time, and passed.