MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Commission appointed to go to Cape Colony to inquire into the sentences passed under martial law will be authorised to examine witnesses and to call before them 504 witnesses for the prisoners whom the latter were unable to call before the courts martial by reason of such witnesses being away engaged in the war; and whether the Commissioners will make their Report to this House or to the Cape Parliament or both; and, if not, to whom they will report, and will such Report be laid on the Table.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) The Commissioners will be authorised at their discretion in any special case in which they may deem it necessary to call before them such persons as they shall judge likely to be able to afford them any information upon the subject of the Commission. The Commissioners will report to His Majesty. I cannot say at present whether the Report will be laid upon the Table.