§ 42. Mr. ACLANDasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the declaration made on behalf of the Rhodesian settlers by Sir Charles Coghlan before Lord Cave's Commission in Rhodesia, that they wished to make it perfectly plain that the Rhodesian settlers repudiate any liability for whatever sums Lord Cave decided should be paid to the British South Africa Company; and whether His Majesty's Government is prepared to give an assurance that this House will be consulted before any decision is taken which will involve placing the burden in any way upon either of the other two parties, the native races of Rhodesia or the British taxpayer?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut.-Colonel Amery)I have seen Sir Charles Coghlan's 1785 statement on the subject. The question of the ultimate liability for the sum which may be held to be due to the British South Africa Company remains a matter for consideration, and as I stated in the House in the Debate on the Colonial Office Vote on the 30th July, the Government are committed to consult the House before any payment is made or any settlement come to as to the method of payment.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODApart from any decision come to as to what liability rests upon the shoulders of the British tax-payer?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI have said that before any decision is finally come to this House will be consulted.