DR. RUTHERFORDI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British-Indians of all classes have been imprisoned with and without hard labour for offences against the registration laws of the Transvaal since February last; and whether any more protests have been received from India in the matter.
§ COLONEL SEELYI am not in a position to give the figures required, but inquiry shall be made of the Governor. The answer to the last paragraph is in the affirmative.
§ COLONEL SEELYThat is a very nice question as to their actual position.
DR. RUTHERFORDMay I ask whether the harsh treatment meted out to British-Indians in South Africa is not creating great indignation in India?
§ COLONEL SEELYI do not think it would be wise to make any general statement. It is a difficult situation.
§ MR. LUPTONWould the condition of these Indians be better if India was not under the British Government?
§ COLONEL SEELYNo, Sir; certainly not.
§ MR. SCOTT (Ashton-under-Lyne)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention 1668 has been drawn to the case of Hira Mulji, a boy of twelve, who was recently sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment for entering the Transvaal with his father, and subsequently sentenced to a further month's imprisonment for the same offence; and whether he proposes to take any steps in this matter, and to prevent the further imprisonment of British-Indian children in like circumstances.
§ COLONEL SEELYNo, Sir. Inquiry shall be made into the facts.