§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on. Christmas Eve last, ten officers held a fictitious court martial in a room in the Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town, on a civilian, Mr. Hardwicke Stanford, whom they maltreated, and subsequently made him sign a paper to say the whole thing was done in fun; whether he is aware that these proceedings were carried on whilst the base commandant and a colonel of the 3rd Grenadier Guards were staying in Mount Nelson Hotel, and that neither of these officers made any attempt to stop this conduct, while the former, in reporting the matter to Lord Kitchener, stated the whole proceedings were carried on in fun; whether he is aware that Mr. Stanford brought an action in the Supreme Court in Cape Colony, laying the damages at £3,000, against eight of the ten officers who had maltreated him, and that the case was settled in court by the defendants, who tendered him an apology, and submitted to a verdict for £1,500 damages and,£1,200 costs; and will he say whether these officers, or any of them, have been tried by court martial, or has any court of inquiry been held 785 to investigate their conduct; and, if so, will he say what further steps will be taken.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordI have no information whatever in regard to the matters mentioned in the Question. No doubt, if there had been occasion for it, Lord Kitchener would have dealt with the matter.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLLord Kitchener is in this country: will the right hon. Gentleman communicate to him this Question?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo, Sir; I have perfect confidence in Lord Kitchener, and am sure that, if necessary, he has dealt with the matter.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI will give the House some further information this afternoon.