HC Deb 17 December 1902 vol 116 cc1494-5
MR. KEIR HARDIE

I beg to ask the Postmaster General, as representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies, † See (4) Debates, cxv., 616. whether he will explain why a naturalised burgher of the late South African Republic, named De Haas, who was a stationmaster on the Pretoria railway, and who was never on commando during the late war, but who was sent as a prisoner to St. Helena, is now being deported to Holland; and can he say why he is not being returned to South Africa with the other prisoners of war who are being repatriated.

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,for Mr. J. Chamberlain) Worcestershire, E.,

The prisoner of war who appears to be referred to, is reported as being of foreign nationality, not a naturalised burgher. He is consequently not entitled under the terms of surrender to be returned to South Africa.