§ 12 Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he has considered the document disclosed before the Judicial Committee of 1529 the Privy Council on 25th April, alleged to have been signed by Sir L. S. Jameson on 14th August, 1893; whether he is aware that this document purports to offer free farms of 3,000 morgen each to each member of the Victoria Force for Matabeleland; whether this document was issued at the time with the knowledge or sanction of the Colonial Office; on what date the Colonial Office was first made acquainted with the terms or tenor of these promises; (2) whether he is aware that in a case now being heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council it was disclosed that each member of the Victoria Force which took part in the Matabele Expedition in 1892 was offered fifteen reef and five alluvial claims; whether this offer was made with the knowledge or authority of the British Government; whether it has been at any time subsequently confirmed or admitted; whether it is the practice of the Colonial Office to offer such territorial considerations to persons taking part in expeditions under British command; (3) whether he has seen the report of disclosures made before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council last week, in which the loot taken in the Matabele Expedition of 1893 was apportioned as to one-half to the British South Africa Company and one-half to the officers and men of the Victoria Force; whether this arrangement, which meant depriving the natives of their means of peaceful livelihood, was made after consultation with the Colonial Office or any officials acting under the Colonial Office; if not, whether at any later date it was communicated to the Colonial Office; if so, what action was taken by the Colonial Office on hearing the terms of the proclamation of Sir L. S. Jameson, who offered these terms to the Chartered Company and its servants?
§ Mr. HEWINSThe disclosures referred to in the hon. Member's three questions have long been matters of discussion, and the facts and their bearing on the position of the natives were raised in the House of Commons at the time. They have only attracted attention now in consequence of the proceedings before the Privy Council, and I must decline further discussion of them while the case is still before the tribunal.
§ Mr. KINGIn view of the possible misuse of these revelations by the enemy in neutral countries, can the Government make some statement on the subject?
§ Mr. HEWINSNo; I do not think that would be at all desirable.