§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he can state whether any steps are being taken to send a supply of blankets and warm clothing to Pretoria for the use of the British prisoners, the cold at that place during the coining months being intense; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of doing so without delay.
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS (for Mr. WYNDHAM)The hon. and gallant, Member may possibly be aware that diplomatic relations with the Government of Pretoria have been broken off. By the courtesy of the Government of the United States private persons are enabled to send money and comforts to the prisoners in Pretoria.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONAre there not means of supplying warm clothing to the prisoners otherwise than by direct communication with the Government at Pretoria?
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSI think the best possible means will be the presence of the British Army there, an event I think likely shortly to happen.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONAnd meantime will the hon. Gentleman take steps through the United States representative at Pretoria to see that these things are supplied?
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe question has been answered.
§ MR. GEDGE (Walsall)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that many hundred English soldiers are prisoners in Pretoria and in the absolute power of President Kruger, the Government will make it a condition precedent to any negotiations for peace that all these prisoners be first set free unconditionally and returned to British territory.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf my hon. friend's suggestion is that under any circumstances President Kruger will violate the laws of civilised warfare in connection with the prisoners, I hope and believe there is no foundation for any such idea. In any case, I think the question is somewhat premature.