§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he has now obtained information, as promised, from South Africa and if he can communicate to the House what were the exceptional circumstances connected with the compulsion of British colonists to witness the execution of their countrymen at Dordrecht; who gave the order for such compulsion, if it was sanctioned by the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and, if not, whether the officer responsible for it has been punished; whether these colonists were convicted criminals or prisoners, under what penalty did they attend, and what object was gained by such compulsion; and if he cannot give the desired information at present, can he state when such will be forthcoming, and if the practice is in the meantime to continue, pending information being given to this House.
LORD STANLEYThe Report may be expected within the next fortnight. The further point raised in the last paragraph was dealt with in my replies on Friday last to the questions put by the hon. Member for East Northamptonshire.†
§ MR. PIRIEIf the Report arrives during the recess will the noble Lord have it circulated among Members?