§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can explain why the Rev. Mr. Weich, a British subject, and the Dutch Reformed minister of Bethesda, in Cape Colony, who was deported many months ago to Port Alfred, and has never been charged with or tried for any offence, is still detained; and will he state whether it is intended either to try or to liberate the Rev. Mr. Radloff, a British subject, and the Dutch Reformed minister of Pearston, in Cape Colony, who was arrested in March of last year, and kept for three months in gaol at Graaff Reinet, and finally, there being no evidence of any offence againt him, was deported to Port Alfred, where he is still detained.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordI have no information on the points raised in the Question.
§ MR. PIRIEWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire in South Africa, or are we to understand that this House has no control whatever over treatment under military law in that country?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe House has complete control, but in these cases the military authorities are the best judges as to what course to take.