§ MR. BRIDGEMANTO ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the telegram suggesting criminal 624 proceedings against Mr. H. Pless was sent, and when an answer to this telegram is expected.
(Answered by Mr. Churchill.) The telegram was sent on the 15th instant, and inquired whether his offence was one for which his surrender could be claimed. The answer is expected immediately. The Law Officers of the Transvaal Government had advised, with regard to prosecutions generally, that there was no ground for the institution of proceedings on the evidence supplied, but it was thought desirable by the Secretary of State to institute legal proceedings in this case, if at all possible.