§ MR. J. RAMSAY MACDONALD (Leicester)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state if the report of the proceedings of the court-martial which sentenced twelve Natal natives to death is to be laid upon the Table of the House; and whether he can state how many courts-martial are now sitting in Natal, and how many persons are awaiting trial by them.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Secretary of State has received the following telegram from His Excellency the Governor of Natal. Begins, "I have received following minute from Ministers:—Begins. In consequence of request from Ministers, Press in Natal have, in view of disturbed condition of native mind, refrained from publishing evidence in martial law cases, and Ministers would deprecate publication in England as serving no useful purpose. Ministers, however, have no wish to conceal any of the proceedings, and rather than any such charge should be made against them they would be prepared to agree to publication if His Majesty's Government still consider it necessary." In these circumstances, His Majesty's Government do not, as at present advised, propose to publish the evidence in question; but I should be prepared to give my hon. friend access to it if he so desires. The Secretary of State is not able to state how many courts-martial are now sitting in Natal and how many persons are awaiting trial; but he Will inquire.
§ MR. MYER (Lambeth, N.)May I ask whether there is or was any evidence?
§ MR. CHURCHILLYes, Sir. The evidence is extensive and voluminous, and from what I have seen I am of opinion that it shows the careful and thorough manner in which the trial was conducted.