§ MR. MACKARNESS (Berkshire, Newbury)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that corporal punishment of the Chinese labourers was last year widely resorted to by the mining authorities of the Witwatersrand district, and that it was administered in a manner borrowed from the practice of the Chinese courts of justice, he will say whether this was done with the knowledge and approval of Lord Milner; and, if so, whether Lord Milner has been called upon for any explanation of his conduct in sanctioning such punishments.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI have to refer the hon. Member to the telegram of 24th, October printed at page 44 of Cd. 2796, in which Mr. Lyttelton stated that Mr. Evans informed Lord Milner of his action in not interfering if slight corporal punishment was administered on the mines in the circumstances' described, and that Lord Milner took no objection. Lord Milner appears to have been communicated with, but no explanation by him is on record, though it is on record that Lord Milner agreed to the statement which appears in the Blue-book. The Secretary of State has, of course, had no opportunity of access to any explanations which Lord Milner may have made privately to his predecessor.
§ MR. MACKARNESSWill the Secretary of State call upon Lord Milner for an explanation now?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI will consult the Secretary of State on that point.