§ MR. PICTONOn behalf of the hon. Member for the Middleton Division of South-East Lancashire, I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether anything has been determined respecting the condition of the six Zulu prisoners; whether he is aware that of the three said to be in Durban Gaol according to law one of them has never been brought there, nor can his friends ascertain where he is; what process of Natal or other law justifies the detention of the remaining two; and has Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson considered the whole or any of the above cases as promised?
§ MR. S. BUXTONTaking the first and fourth paragraphs together, the answer is that one of the six prisoners referred to (Nsukuzonke) was released 17 months ago, and that no decision has been arrived at as to the other five, Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson not yet having had time to consider and report on their cases in consultation with Sir Marshal Clarke. In answer to the second paragraph, I fear we have not at the Colonial Office the information required; but tire Governor has been communicated with, and I will inform my hon. and learned Friend of the result. The answer to the third paragraph of the question is that the prisoners who are in Natal are retained there under the authority of the Imperial Statute, 47 & 48 Vict., c. 31, known as the Colonial Prisoners' Removal Act, 1884.