HC Deb 27 January 1902 vol 101 cc947-8
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he accepts the responsibility for the arrest and deportation from South Africa of Miss Hobhouse.

MR. THOMAS SHAW (Hawick Burghs)

I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he has declined to accept responsibility for the arrest and deportation of Miss Hobhouse; or whether he will now accept such responsibility, and will accordingly offer no further obstacle to the important legal and constitutional question raised by such arrest and deportation being fairly tried on its merits in the Courts of Law.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (MR. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

While I take all responsibility in this House for Lord Kitchener's action, I must, as regard legal proceedings, adhere to my decision as conveyed to the legal representatives of Miss Hobhouse.