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South Africa—Jameson Raid—Liability Of The British South Africa Company

Volume 90: debated on Tuesday 5 March 1901

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I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether ho will undertake that the Government shall not formally give up the claim of the late South African Republic against the British South Africa Company in case of a proposal being made for the purchase by the Government of the undertaking of the Company.

I can only refer the hon. Member to my answer of yesterday—that this claim has been submitted to the law officers and that until we have received their opinion we can say nothing more.

I asked the light lion. Gentleman whether he would, on behalf of the Government, give an undertaking that this claim should not be formally abandoned. I have not understood that he has given mo an answer to that question.

I am not bound to answer the question as to what the Government might or might not do in a hypothetical case.