§ MR. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether there is any official information to the effect that the Boers during the siege of Ladysmith or elsewhere attempted to contaminate the water supply by deleterious matter; whether our South African troopers taken prisoners of war are worse treated than those of the rest of the army; and whether, if so, the Government are doing anything and what to ensure their proper treatment as prisoners of war.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) (for MR. WYNDHAM) Birmingham, S.The report referred to in the first paragraph has reached us from official sources, but no proof of its correctness has been received. As regards the second paragraph there is some evidence to show that our South African troopers taken prisoners of war are worse treated than those of the rest of the army. We are endeavouring to ascertain whether 571 these statements are accurate, with a view to further action, if necessary.