HC Deb 01 March 1900 vol 79 cc1414-5
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND () Clare, E.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Her Majesty's Government have sent any instructions as to the treatment to be accorded to General Cronje and his family, and whether they are to be imprisoned; and, if so, where and under what conditions.

*THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) (for Mr. WYNDHAM) Birmingham, S.

No, Sir. The question is one for the decision of the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa. We learn that it is intended to place General Cronje and his family on board the flagship at Cape Town.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether it is intended permanently to keep General Cronje and his family imprisoned on board ship, instead of leaving him on shore, and is it not true that a great many prisoners kept on board ship have complained—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order !

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN () Kilkenny

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that something is due to the rank of General Cronje—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order ! That is a matter of opinion.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Hear, hear ! Why put him in the hulks?