HC Deb 21 July 1896 vol 43 cc266-7
* Mr. H. C. F. LUTTRELL (Devon, Tavistock)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether his attention has been drawn to the Press Association special telegram of Friday last from Buluwayo, stating that Native Commissioner Thomas had been on a grain-collecting expedition and had, besides killing 30 natives, collected 1,300 bags of grain; that 1,020 of these bags of grain, valued at £12,500, had been destroyed in obedience to orders; that owing to the destruction of the grain famine is imminent; and that if the natives act in accordance with the amnesty and come in it will be utterly impossible to feed them for one day; and whether, if this be the case, he will take steps to prevent such waste of food and to insure a supply of food sufficient to fulfil the terms of the amnesty?

MR. C. P. SCOTT (Lancashire, Leigh)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a statement contained in a Reuter's telegram dated Buluwayo, 17th July, to the effect that Native Commissioner Thomas had destroyed about 1,000 bags of grain which he had captured from the natives, that famine was imminent, many of the native kraals being entirely without food, and that if the starving people should surrender and come in to Buluwayo there was not food enough in the place to feed them for a single day; whether this has been done with his authority, and, whether he will take steps to prevent the repetition of such proceedings?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

In answering this Question I may be allowed to take the opportunity of also answering the similar Question by the hon. Member for the Leigh Division of Lancashire. I have no official confirmation of the statement referred to. I do not propose to interfere with the discretion of Sir F. Carrington in the measures he may take for the suppression of the rebellion, but it does not appear to be true that the rebels are required to come to Buluwayo. If they submit, I do not doubt that every possible effort will be made to save them from starvation.