73. Mr. H. SAMUELasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of the chairman at the annual meeting of the British South Africa Company on 8th August, in which he is reported to have said that the administrative deficits of the company had been adjudged by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the recent case to be the liability of the Imperial Government, and that those deficits exceed £10,000,000 sterling; and whether he will give an assurance that no obligation will be assumed by the Imperial Government for any such deficits until a 2499 statement has been made in this House and an opportunity given for its discussion?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Hewins)I have seen the speech referred to. With regard to the last part of the question, I do not understand that any immediate question of settlement arises under the recent judgment, but I feel certain that whenever a question of payment does arise, the Government of the day will hesitate to commit themselves to make any payment such as is suggested without the authority of the House of Commons.