HC Deb 06 April 1909 vol 3 c901
Mr. JOHN ROBERTSON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it has come to his knowledge that some 150 British-Indian merchants and others, domiciled in the Transvaal from before the late war, are at present undergoing hard-labour sentences in the gaols of that Colony for refusal to re-register in the terms of the Registration Law; whether they have established their identity and titles to domicile after investigation by the Transvaal authorities; whether they are now being deported from South Africa to India in spite of their protests; and whether His Majesty's Government proposes to take any action?

Colonel SEELY

I fear that I am not able to add anything to the replies which I gave to an oral question addressed to me on the 1st and to a written question on 2nd April regarding the treatment of Indians.

Mr. J. M. ROBERTSON

Does the hon. Gentleman mean all these questions have been answered.

Colonel SEELY

I looked through the question carefully, and also the question to which I referred, and I think so; if there is any not covered, if the hon. Member will put down a question to-morrow, I will answer it.

Mr. LUPTON

Has the hon. Member explained to the Hindu subjects the special advantage of being subjects of the Empire?

Colonel SEELY

I have already explained the advantage to my hon. Friend.