§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Lord Milner has still the absolute power to turn any British subject out of the Transvaal after giving him three days notice to quit the country; whether the subject is denied all right of appeal to the High Courts now sitting; and whether, if the subject refuses to leave the Transvaal, he is put into prison and forthwith deported over the border; and, if so, will he inform Lord Milner that these exceptional powers must not be any longer employed by him, and that for the future all British subjects must have free access to the Courts of the country.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The hon. Member's Question does not accurately represent the provisions of the Peace Preservation Ordinances to which he appears to refer. The powers given under these Ordinances to the Lieutenant-Governor were very carefully considered, and I do not propose to take the action suggested.
§ MR. MARKHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman say in what particulars the Question is wrong?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINYes; in the first place, it is not Lord Milner to whom power is given, but the Lieutenant-Governor, and I am not aware that anyone has been denied the right of appeal to the High Court. As the law allows discretion to the Lieutenant-Governor, there does not seem any use for an appeal in such cases. If the subject refuses to leave the Transvaal he is not deported; he is imprisoned until he consents to go.
§ MR. MARKHAMIs it not the fact that British subjects have already been deported over the border after having been imprisoned against their wish?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of it.