§ MR. BRADLAUGHI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that natives in Zululand are frequently flogged by order of the Local Authorities; whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that it was proved at Etshowe on 15th April that three natives were flogged with a cat, and that the cat was a rein cut up and fastened on to a stick, with some pieces of iron at the end of the strips; and, whether he will direct inquiry to be made into the matter?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS, Liverpool, East Toxteth)Under the Laws and Regulations for the Government of Zululand, printed in the Parliamentary Paper [C.—5331], flogging may be inflicted, as an alternative to fine or imprisonment, for any offence except murder; but no sentence of corporal punishment can be carried into effect until it has been confirmed by the Chief Magistrate. The Secretary of State has no information showing whether natives have been frequently flogged. The hon. Member has called my attention to a newspaper statement of the matter referred to in the second paragraph of his question; but it has not been officially reported, and a Report will at once be called for.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHDo I understand the hon. Gentleman to say that a Report will be called for?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSYes.