§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether Lord Kitchener, on his own initiative or as the result of a communication from the War Office, telegraphed to the War Office on the 5th April an account of the execution of Commandant. Scheepers, which took place on 18th January; was Lord Kitchener's attention drawn to the statement made by the hon. Member for Donegal, that Scheepers was brought in an ambulance van from Graff Reinet to the place of execution, with the band playing and the firing party following; that he asked to stand up to be shot, but was tied to a chair and blindfolded; that he was buried as he was, and the chair broken up and thrown into the grave; and that the band played back again; and whether he is now in a position to give any information as to Scheepers' state of health at the time of his execution.
§ Mr. BRODRICKLord Kitchener's telegram was in response to an enquiry on this subject sent by me and I have no further information to give the hon. Member on this subject.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWhat is the date of reply? Did the right hon. Gentleman ask Lord Kitchener whether my statement was correct or not?
§ MR. BRODRICKI made the inquiry early in April.