§ *MR. BRIGHT (Shropshire, Oswestry)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the number, if any, of Chinese coolies who have been flogged up to date in the various compounds of the Rand respectively; what is the maximum number of lashes which has been inflicted; what has been the instrument used, and for what offences; and by whose authority such floggings, if any, have been inflicted.
§ MR. LYTTELTONThe returns from July last up to the end of April of this year show that eight Chinese labourers have received the punishment of flogging; the maximum number of lashes inflicted was twenty; the instrument used is a cane; and the offence "assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm." The sentence is imposed by a magistrate and has to be confirmed by a Judge of the Supreme Court.
§ *MR. BRIGHTIs it the practice in the compounds for the Chinese police to inflict corporal punishment on the demand of the master of the compound, and are these cases included in the number given by the right hon. Gentleman?
§ MR. LYTTELTONI have no such, information.
§ *MR. BRIGHTWill you inquire by cable?
§ MR. LYTTELTONI will if some reasonable prima facie cause is shown, but I cannot act on mere loose allegation.
§ *MR. BRIGHTI will supply the right hon. Gentleman with the information he requires.
§ MR. BURT (Morpeth)Have the compound managers or any other officials authority to flog or order the flogging of Chinese in the Transvaal?
§ MR. LYTTELTONNo flogging can be administered except on the sentence of a magistrate confirmed by a Judge of the Supreme Court?