§ MR. LEHMANNI beg to ask the Prime Minister if he can give the House any official information which will relieve the anxiety caused by reports of the refusal of quarter to the Zulus in the operations in Natal, and their slaughter by native levies.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have been greatly shocked, as everyone must have been, by this report, which I have only heard of. I have not seen it myself, as the paper in which it appeared is not one which I habitually study. We have no official information on the subject at all, but I sincerely hope that there is no foundation for the rumour—and I should not be much surprised to learn there is not. At any rate, I feel it necessary to say that if there is any foundation for it, it is a most grave and serious matter, requiring the closest and I most earnest attention of the Government.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)May I ask whether the attention of the right hon. Gentleman has been directed to a report in nearly all the newspapers to the effect that the head of the late chief, Bambata, was severed from the body and was publicly exposed for two days by order, and whether, if the report of this occurrence should prove to be true, he will take stops to see that such shocking barbarity is not in future permitted?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have not seen that report. I have nothing but horror for the event, if it has taken place.
§ MR. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's Answers that the Government are going to make telegraphic inquiries as to the truth of the reports?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANWe have already done so.