HC Deb 15 July 1920 vol 131 cc2637-8W
Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, at the twentieth meeting of the Cave Commission on Southern Rhodesia, held on 30th June, it was stated to the Commission that the Government would take a decision in the course of a few days as to whether they would ask for the further postponement of the Commission pending the receipt of further information from South Africa, or whether they would ask the Commission to furnish a Report forthwith on the facts so far put before them; whether this promised decision has now been taken, and, if so, what is the decision; whether the Commission has been sitting for over a year; and what has been the cause of such delay in the preparation of the case of the Crown?

Lieut.-Colonel AMERY

Yes, Sir, a statement to that effect was made, but I am not yet in a position to say anything with regard to the decision of the Government. The Commission was appointed on 17th July of last year. The delay is, I think, attributable to the anxiety of the Crown to give the Commission all possible assistance in the case.