§ Mr. MACKARNESSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he had received any information as to the result of the trial of Dinizulu?
§ Colonel SEELYYes, Sir. The Governor has telegraphed that Dinizulu has been awarded four years' imprisonment on account of Counts 7 and 16 in the indictment, and one year or a fine of £100 on account of Count 5. It will be seen, on referring to the indictment printed in Cd. 4404 that these Counts refer to the harbouring of rebels.
§ Mr. MACKARNESSMay I ask, considering that Dinizulu has already been imprisoned for 15 months, and as the most serious charges for which he was arrested have broken down, and bearing in mind the very difficult position in which he was placed when the Bambaata family took refuge with him, whether the Secretary of State will advise a mitigation of the sentence?
§ Colonel SEELYWith regard to the first part of the question I understand from a Press telegram, though I have not yet had official intimation of it, that the sentence is to run from the date of his first imprisonment 15 months ago, and therefore there will be a reduction of the sentence by that amount. There is also a Press telegram to the effect that the fine of £500 has been paid, but that is likewise unconfirmed. If that is so the sentence would be reduced to something over two years. As regards the further question, my hon. Friend will understand that as we have only received a telegram it is impossible and it would be undesirable to make any statement at present.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDSeeing that Dinizulu has not been convicted of the serious offences of rebellion and murder which were charged against him, and having regard to the feeling of the native population and to the peace of the country, will the hon. Member consider the advisability of remitting the sentence passed altogether?
§ Colonel SEELYAs I understand it, and so far as we know, it is the case that Dinizulu has not been found guilty of the more serious offences. With regard to the second part of the question I cannot add more than I have said.
§ Mr. W. REDMONDI beg to give notice that in consequence of the hon. Gentleman's answer, I will, after a lapse of a reasonable interval, raise this question again.
§ Sir HENRY COTTONCan the hon. Gentleman explain what the expression "imprisonment" means? Does it mean imprisonment with hard labour or simple imprisonment?
§ Colonel SEELYThe only word used in the telegram I have received is "imprisonment."
§ Mr. W. REDMONDBad enough.
§ Mr. BELLOCCan the hon. Gentleman give us a pledge that this information he has promised will be given before the House rises?
§ Colonel SEELYYes, of course. When I said we must wait for information I did not anticipate that the House would rise so rapidly.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDMay I ask whether we may expect this further information by cable or whether it is to be dispatched by post?
§ Colonel SEELYWe shall receive every information by cable. I expect it has arrived already. Of course, we would have to have a good deal of further information before I can answer the important questions put to me to-day.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDBut there will be no delay?
§ Colonel SEELYNo, there will be no delay.