HC Deb 19 November 1906 vol 165 c396
Sir J. JARDINE

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether as yet any persons have been brought to justice for assault or battery of Chinese coolies in the Transvaal gold mines consequent on the licence given by Lord Milner by word of mouth to Mr. Evans, Superintendent of Mines, sanctioning corporal punishment of Chinese coolies, where no provision was made by law or ordinance.

MR. CHURCHILL

I believe not. Lord Selborne has explained, in reply to an inquiry on the subject made in April, that the difficulty has been that the coolies will not give the necessary evidence.

Sir J. JARDINE

Have there not been thousands of cases?

MR. CHURCHILL

Full information, has been laid before Parliament.

MR. MARKHAM

Was not a mine superintendent (Mr. Jameson) fined and mulcted in damages?

* MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is giving information.