§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if, when he has obtained the information from South Africa, he will circulate the report received to hon. Members or make a communication stating 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 1142 the officer responsible for it has been punished; and whether these colonists were convicted criminals or prisoners, under what penalty did they attend, and what object was gained by such compulsion.
LORD STANLEYI am not in a position to make any such pledges on behalf of my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for War.