§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Australian Commonwealth Government have refused to allow Boer prisoners to be imprisoned in Tasmania, and whether, in view of this refusal, the Imperial Government still intends to send any prisoners to Australasia.
§ The following question also appeared on the Paper:—
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Federal Cabinet of the Australian Commonwealth, at its first sitting in Melbourne on 11th April, decided to reject the recommendation 892 of the Colonial Secretary that Boer prisoners should be sent to Tasmania; and what course does he propose to adopt in view of the action of the Federal Cabinet.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI telegraphed to the Governor-General of Australia on 14th March requesting him to ascertain from his Ministers whether they were willing that I should address an inquiry to the Governor of Tasmania asking if any Boer prisoners could be accommodated in Tasmania, and if so, how many. I added that his Ministers would, of course, understand that if there were any local objections His Majesty's Government would not desire to press the suggestion. I was informed by Lord Hopetoun that although the Tasmanian Government would be willing to receive Boer prisoners, the Federal Government were averse to the proposal. The idea was accordingly at once abandoned. This reply also answers the question on the same subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for South Donegal.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWere not the last convicts sent to Tasmania Irish Nationalists?
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last paragraph of my question.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINYes; I said the proposal had been immediately abandoned.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLThen, where are these prisoners to be sent?
§ [No answer was returned.]