HC Deb 12 February 1908 vol 184 cc24-5
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any official information showing that unresisting Zulus have been shot and flogged since Dinizulu's arrest; and if he will inquire into the matter at once.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL, Manchester, N.W.)

Five natives were tried and sentenced to be flogged, as I stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Nottingham East on Thursday last. The official information received shows that two natives or perhaps three were shot when escaping from the police, but the account of the occurrence also states that by the side of each of the two dead bodies were found magazine rifles with the magazines charged and the cut-offs open. The apparent discrepancy will be inquired into.

MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal, W.)

asked whether it was not a fact that men were flogged to obtain evidence, and whether, in view of the professions made at the time of the South African war in regard to Boer cruelty, the Government would not take steps in this matter.

MR. CHURCHILL

said he had given all the information he had received.

MR. HUGH LAW

asked whether there was any indication of the motives for flogging.

MR. CHURCHILL

No; but it is strongly denied by the Natal Government that it was done for the purpose of extracting evidence.

*MR. BELLOC (Salford, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me the names of the people who ordered and were present at the flogging?

MR. CHURCHILL

I think I should like to have an opportunity of considering that.

*MR. BELLOC

If you prefer to conceal it, do so.

MR. CHURCHILL

I think the House Will admit that I do endeavour to obtain information that is desired.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

asked as to the number of lashes inflicted.

MR. CHURCHILL

was understood to say careful inquiry was being made, but there was no evidence of more than the ordinary amount of flogging during military operations.