§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can now say if the station-master, Mr. Quinlan, and the other alleged Fenians, whom Colonel Baden-Powell was reported some months ago to have in custody in Mafeking, are still alive; and, if so, where they are, upon what charge were they arrested, were they tried, and, if so, by what tribunal, and upon what charge, and what. was the sentence.
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverNo information on this subject has yet reached the War Office. Lord Roberts was instructed by telegraph on the 9th of March that a record of all proceedings taken under martial law in South Africa 899 should be sent to the War Office. It is, therefore, unnecessary to send inquiries about particular cases, and in view of the amount of work at present falling on the staff in South Africa, such inquiries are clearly undesirable. I do not think that the hon. Member need be anxious. I read a, newspaper report subsequent to the relief of Mafeking to the effect that Mr. Quinlan had been detained during three days mainly for his own protection.
§ MR. PATEICK O'BRIENIt is on a newspaper report that I base my question. I only hope the right hon. Gentleman is right.