§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to a statement in The Globe of 3rd March, to the effect— 1077
That, without the usual delays and formalities attending the action of the tribunals, four men belonging to the village of Matarieh were courbashed," the reason given being "the increasing insolence of the Native population towards Englishmen,and an alleged assault by some of the villagers on two unarmed Hussars; whether inquiry will be made as to the nature of the provocation given by the Hussars; how is it they went about unarmed; and, whether the punishment inflicted on their alleged assailants was not in direct contravention of the undertaking to abolish the courbash?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him last Friday, when I informed him that inquiry would be made as to the facts of this case. A despatch to that effect has been addressed to Sir Evelyn Baring; but sufficient time has not elapsed to allow of a reply having been received.