HC Deb 27 July 1908 vol 193 cc873-4
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Miss Colenso, in reply to a statement of Lieutenant-Colonel Green, Minister of Railways in the Natal Government, denying the flogging of natives in respect to the procuring of evidence against Dinizulu, has given twenty-nine cases of flogging, including some cases of the flogging of women, in addition to those officially admitted; and whether those cases of flogging will come within the purview of the proposed Indemnity Act, and their perpetrators become immune from punishment.

COLONEL SEELY

I am aware that allegations of flogging have lately been made and denied. With regard to Miss Colenso's assertion I notice that according to a Press telegram the Prime Minister of Natal on the 23rd instant stated that the Government had inquired into all the alleged cases of assault during the military operations in the northern districts and promised further investigation upon a formal complaint being made and some proof offered in support of Miss Colenso's allegations. My hon. friend will find information regarding the Indemnity Bill in the Papers which are being distributed to-day.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is it more favourable to the illegal action of the Natal Government——

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order. The hon. Member must not refer to a friendly Colonial Government in that way.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I did not refer to it in the way you thought, Sir.

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member assumes that a thing is illegal. That remains to be proved.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

With great respect, Sir, everything done under martial law is prima facie illegal.

MR. SPEAKER

It is not the business of the hon. Member to lecture me on the subject of martial law.