§ MR. BENNETT (Oxfordshire, Woodstock)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that four white settlers in Rhodesia recently flogged three natives, suspected of theft, with the result that two of them died from the treatment received; and that at the Battlefields criminal sessions, in spite of the summing up of the Judge, the four settlers were acquitted by the jury on all counts; and whether, under the terms of the charter given to the British South Africa Company, any appeal in such a case lies to the Imperial Courts.
§ MR. MACKARNESS (Berkshire, Newbury)At the same time may I ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information about the recent trial of four Europeans at Salisbury, in Rhodesia, for the manslaughter of two natives alleged to have been so severely flogged that two of them died; whether the four men charged 68 were all acquitted; and whether he has received any intimation, either from the Administrator of Rhodesia or the Judge who tried the case, as to the circumstances under which the verdict was given.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Colonel SEELY, Liverpool, Abercromby)I have seen a report in the Press, but have no official information on the subject. Inquiry shall be made of the High Commissioner for South Africa. I am advised that no appeal lies to any Court in this country.
§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)Does no appeal lie to the Privy Council?
§ COLONEL SEELYMy reply is that no appeal lies to any Court.
§ MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)Can the hon. Gentleman suggest what is the use of Imperialism if it cannot prevent iniquities such as these?
§ COLONEL SEELYBut it does prevent iniquities such as these.
§ MR. BELLOC (Salford, S.)Has the Congo Reform Association reported on this matter.
§ COLONEL SEELYNot that I am aware of.