§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, with regard to the fact that on or about the 8th August last, in consequence of shots having been fired by Boers at a train at Bronkhurst, on the line between Pretoria and Middelburg, all the farms within a radius of ten miles were fired by British soldiery, will he state how many men, women, and children were rendered homeless by this operation, and what measures, if any, were taken for the protection from death by exposure and starvation of those who were thus deprived of their property.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford)The hon. Member appears to refer to the burning of a group of farms three miles north of Shietpoort, which is near Bronkhurst Spruit. This was carried out because two trains were fired at from this direction and certain casualties were caused thereby. I have no information as to the number or subsequent treatment of the inhabitants.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs there no official information of any kind as to the fate of these women and children?
§ [No answer was returned.]