HC Deb 09 August 1901 vol 99 cc269-70
MR. CHANNING

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has, through Lord Milner or otherwise, taken steps, since the shooting down by British soldiers of natives attempting to escape from the compound at the Wesselton Mine at Kimberley, in October last, to lay down regulations or otherwise to prevent the use of British soldiers for the enforcement of contracts, or for any other purposes than those which come within the law and the Army Regulations.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

No. The employment of military forces in districts under martial law must be left to the discretion of the military authorities, who are responsible for the manner in which they employ such forces.

MR. CHANNING

I understand this question has no reference to martial law, but has reference to the enforcement of contracts in the compound at Kimberley, and I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he will inquire into the matter. I now ask him whether the employment of British soldiers to enforce contracts is within the law and the regulations.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I never made any promise to inquire into the matter, because under no possible circumstances could it concern my department. Either it is an act of a self-governing colony, with which I cannot interfere, or it is an act of the military authorities at a time when martial law prevailed. If so, the question should be addressed to the War Office.

MR. CHANNING

As the right hon. Gentleman is laying down conditions dealing with the employment of natives I would ask whether he contemplates, in connection with this matter, the employment of British troops to enforce contracts either in Kimberley or the Transvaal.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

The hon. Member appears to be unaware of the fact that Kimberley is not under the Imperial Parliament. It is under the control of the Government of the Cape, which is a self-governing colony, with which I do not wish to interfere.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Is not the Governor of Cape Colony, as representing the King, bound to obey the orders of the right hon. Gentleman?

[No answer was returned.]