§ MR. C. P. SCOTT (Lancashire, Leigh)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state in which of the Natal concentration camps the wife of General De Wet is confined; on what ground she is treated as a prisoner; under what circumstances she was originally placed in a concentration camp; and whether she has been informed that she is at liberty to join her husband or any of the Boer forces in the field.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordMrs. De Wet is at Maritzburg. I have already telegraphed for further information on the other points, but I may mention that Lord Kitchener has informed me that the Governor of Natal visited her twice to see that she was comfortable and she had no complaints to make.
§ MR. C. P. SCOTTWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the Question, whether she has been informed that she is at liberty to join her husband or any of the Boer forces in the field?
§ MR. BRODRICKI am awaiting a telegram from Lord Kitchener. I do not know under what circumstances Mrs. De Wet has recently been taken into the concentration camp. I have given all the information I have to the House.
§ MR. C. P. SCOTTPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will state whether Mrs. De Wet is at liberty to go to Cape Colony or to join her husband?
§ MR. BRODRICKIf Mrs. De Wet's position is such that there would be no military disadvantage in regard to information in her leaving her present situation and going to Cape Colony, no objection would be made.
§ MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL (Oldham)Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that no expense is put on the public funds through frivolous telegraphing?
§ [No answer was given.]