§ MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Zulu prisoners charged with rebellion are being drafted to Kimberley; and whether the object is to send them into the diamond mines.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Secretary of State is not aware that any natives concerned in the recent outbreaks in Natal and Zululand are employed, or are likely to be employed, upon the Kimberley diamond mines. A number of long-sentence prisoners have been removed from Natal to the Cape Colony to make room in Natal gaols for persons awaiting trial upon charges of rebellion. Such a proceeding is entirely within the competence of the Natal and Cape Colony Governments and under the sanction of their laws.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Kimberley mines are worked by convicts, and is there not a danger that these prisoners may be utilised by the Cape Government for that purpose?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am aware that convict labour is used in the mines.
§ MR. J. WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)asked whether the hon. Gentleman would make such representation to the authorities in South Africa as would prevent the possibility of such an occurrence as the hiring out of political prisoners to the monopolists of the diamond mines.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI will bring the opinion which has been expressed by the hon. Member to the notice of the Secretary of State.