MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Mr. James Quinlan, stationmaster at Mafeking, was allowed, before being shot by order of Colonel Baden-Powell, to write a letter containing a vindication of his innocence, addressed to an Irish Member; was this letter detained by the military authorities, or can the Government say what has become of it; were two Irish prisoners also shot by order of Lord Methuen, without trial; and will the Government, with a view to preventing reprisals by the opposing forces, suggest to the Commander-in-Chief that no prisoners in safe custody should be shot without legal formalities.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMThere is no information in regard to the questions raised by the first three paragraphs. The Government has full confidence in the discretion of the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa.
MR. T. M. HEALYDid I not understand the hon. Gentleman the other day to say he would make some inquiry? It is strange that what is notorious to everybody else should not be so to the Government.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMThat which is said to be notorious is not always based on evidence to which careful examination can be given. I must ask the hon. and learned Member to submit a prima facie case showing he has gone through a preliminary examination of the evidence, and then careful inquiry shall be made. On mere report, however notorious, I do not think we are justified in interrupting the work of Lord Roberts and troubling him with questions.
MR. T. M. HEALYMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he considers statements in English newspapers at the Cape not always friendly to Irishmen a prima facie case?
§ * MR. WYNDHAMCertainly not, until we know the circumstances and the authority for these passages.