§ Sir H. COTTON (Nottingnam, E.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the attention of His Majesty's Government has been drawn to the extensive flogging of natives in Zululand; and whether inquiry will be made as to the number of natives flogged and otherwise punished under the administration of martial law in Zululand during the month of January, and as to the reasons for such treatment.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe attention of the Secretary of State was recently drawn to reports of this kind in the Press, and he made inquiry of the 1070 Governor, who replied as follows: "McKenzie reports that during the recent operations by troops in Zululand five natives were tried and sentenced to be flogged." I have not at present material to answer the rest of the hon. Member's Question, but inquiry is being made.
§ SIR H. COTTONIs it the case that the floggings have been so numerous as stated?
§ MR. CHURCHILLIt was in consequence of the report that appeared in the papers that I telegraphed an inquiry and the answer was that five natives were flogged. If my hon. friend has any special information I will ask the Secretary of State if he will cable a further inquiry.