§ MR. HUMPHREYS - OWEN (Montgomeryshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, on or about the 11th of September, 1901, 34 British subjects were deported by the military authorities to Port Alfred from their own homes in Cape Colony, and whether among them was the Hon. M. J. Pretorius, a Member of the Upper House of the Parliament of Cape Colony; whether these persons have been tried for, or charged with, any and what offence; whether they are still detained at Port Alfred, and, if so, by whose order and in what custody; and can he explain what is the distinction between the terms exiles and refugees applied to the persons stated on p. 184 of Cd. 819, to be detained in the camp at Port Elizabeth.
§ MR. BRODRICKI have no information as to the first part of this 580 Question. As regards the last paragraph, certain families were removed from the Orange River Colony because they had treacherously fired on our troops, the women boasting that they had assisted in killing eleven of our men. I understand that these persons are classed as exiles, as it would not be possible to allow them at present to return to Orange River Colony.
§ MR. HUMPHREYS - OWENWhat is the distinction between exiles and refugees?
§ MR. BRODRICKI believe there is no difference in their treatment, but one class may be allowed to go back probably before the other would be allowed to go back.
§ MR. HUMPHREYS-OWENWill the right hon. Gentleman state what is the reason for making a difference in the class?
§ MR. BRODRICKIt is certainly desirable, when one class of persons will not be allowed, when the war is over, to go back without some consideration, that they should not be placed in the same class as the others.
§ MR. HUMPHREYS - OWENThen, does "exile" mean that the person who is so called will not be allowed to return home after the war?
§ [No answer was returned.]