HC Deb 08 April 1902 vol 105 cc1249-51
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the date of the sitting of the court-martial by which Lieutenant Handcock and Lieutenant Morant were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death for a series of murders, of which the victims were Boers; what were the dates of the promulgation of the sentence and of the execution of these officers, and when was the War Office apprised of these executions; and will he explain why the facts of the holding of this court-martial and the sentences and executions of there officers have been withheld for some months from the public.

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)

I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state on what day in January last Lieutenants Handcock and Morant were found guilty by the court-martial.

MR. BRODRICK

There were two general courts-martial, one on January 16th and one on February 5th, on these officers. The sentences of death were promulgated on February 26th, and they were executed on February 27th. The proceedings of the courts-martial have only recently reached the War Office.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

What was the date of the courts-martial? Were they not held on January 19th?

MR. BRODRICK

I have given the date already.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered whether the facts that these courts-martial were held and the sentences executed have been withheld from the public for some months.

MR. BRODRICK

The facts have not been withheld "some months." It is not the habit to make a statement with regard to courts-martial, and these courts martial have not been made exceptions to the rule.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Were not these officers executed two months ago; and why has the knowledge of the execution been withheld from the public?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The right hon. Gentleman has answered the Question.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Yes, but most unsatisfactorily.

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government will direct the immediate publication of the proceedings of the Court of Inquiry, and of all evidence produced before that Court, in reference to the series of murders of Boers, by officers holding commissions under the British Crown, and will likewise direct the immediate publication of the proceedings of the trial by court-martial of Lieutenants Handcock and Morant and of the evidence adduced before that court-martial in its entirety.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As at present advised. I do not see that any public advantage would be gained by the publication of these proceedings.

MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the recent execution of British officers in South Africa, whether any communications were addressed to the Foreign Office, or to Lord Kitchener, by the German Government with reference to the murder of Rev. Mr. Hesse.

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord CRANBORNE,) Rochester

No such communication has been made to the Foreign Office, and I understand that my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for War has no information as to any communication on this subject having been made to Lord Kitchener on behalf of the German Government.