§ MR. DUNCOMBE (Cumberland, Egremont)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that the policeman Jones, in the employ of the Transvaal Republic, who has just been put upon his trial for the unprovoked murder of a British subject has been acquitted; and whether any steps can be taken to provide some measure of security for the lives of British subjects in the Transvaal?
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Before an answer is given, I wish to ask whether this Question is in order. It speaks of "an unprovoked murder" of an Englishman in the Transvaal. Is an honourable Member entitled to prejudge a case in that way?
§ MR. SPEAKERI must say that it is a rather irregular expression to use in a Question.
§ MR. DUNCOMBEThen I withdraw the word "unprovoked."
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingPerhaps I may be allowed to answer in the absence of the Colonial Secretary? My right honourable Friend has received no information as yet, but no doubt the telegram in the newspapers correctly states the fact. The Colonial Secretary cannot express any opinion on the merits of the case until he is in possession of the full report of the trial, and he is not in a position to say whether any action is called for on the part of Her Majesty's Government.
§ MR. DUNCOMBECan the noble Lord say whether the Colonial Secretary will give this matter careful consideration?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAI think my honourable Friend may safely assume that he will.