LORD WOLVERTONI beg to ask Her Majesty's Government, whether, in view of the many applications already made, they can give this House an assurance that they are preparing, or have in contemplation, some scheme by which soldiers, either time-expired or otherwise, can settle under advantageous circumstances in the Orange River Colony.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Earl of SELBORNE)My Lords, this question has never been lost sight of for one moment by Her Majesty's Government, who have been, as was stated by Air. Chamberlain in the House of Commons more than a month ago, in constant communication with Sir Alfred Milner on the subject. The matter has been referred to an inter-Departmental Committee, comprising representatives of the War Office, the Treasury, and the Colonial Office, and this Committee has already begun to sit. I hope, therefore, before long to be in a position to lay all the facts of the case before Her Majesty's Government. I cannot say more at the present moment except that the matter is receiving and will receive our most earnest consideration, but it is one in which obviously any steps that may be taken demand the most careful and thorough consideration.
LORD WOLVERTONI think it would give confidence in the country it my noble friend would state who is the chairman of the Committee.
§ THE EARL OF SELBORNEI am not in a position to state that.
§ House adjourned at a quarter past Eight of the clock, till To-morrow, half - past Ten of the clock.