MR. LLOYD MORGAN (Carmarthenshire, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Commission appointed to inquire into the sentences passed by courts martial in South Africa will take evidence and hear witnesses on oath; whether their Report and the evidence taken will be laid before the Imperial Parliament and also before the Cape Parliament; whether it is intended that the Report should furnish a basis of legislation either in the Imperial Parliament or the Cape Parliament.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.The main work, as I understand, of the Commission will be to examine evidence already taken at various trials, but they will be able to supplement it where they think it necessary by examining witnesses, but not on oath. I can give no statement, one way or the other, at present as to whether the Report will be laid either before the Cape Parliament or this Parliament. The answer to the last Question is in the negative.
MR. SWIFTMACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Will the proceedings be open to the public?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not know.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThat would require statutory powers, I gather.