HC Deb 13 July 1914 vol 64 cc1498-9
85. Sir WILLIAM BYLES

asked the Home Secretary whether tribal practices of a revolting nature are permitted and witnessed by the public in the Indian reservation at the White City; whether these include the killing, stewing, and eating of dogs in celebration of the midsummer full moon, accompanied with songs, dances, and other weird and savage rites; and whether the performance of these rites in public received the sanction of the Home Office?

Mr. McKENNA

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that no practices of a revolting nature are permitted and witnessed by the public in the Indian reservation in the White City; and that it is not the case that dogs have been killed and eaten. At the feast to which the question appears to refer, a lamb, killed by a local butcher, was roasted and served to the Indians.

Sir W. BYLES

Will my right hon. Friend send somebody to ascertain the actual facts?

Mr. McKENNA

I believe they have been ascertained already. I believe the lamb was consumed long ago.

Colonel LOCKWOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure us that nothing of that nature is allowed to take place?

Mr. McKENNA

So far as my information goes nothing of that kind is allowed or does in fact take place, but if my hon. Friend has some other information to give me I shall be very happy to inquire further.

Sir W. BYLES

Certainly I will; but may I ask whether it is a proper Ministerial statement to say, "So far as I know nothing of the kind has occurred." May I ask him to be kind enough to send somebody to inquire?

Mr. McKENNA

That is exactly what I have done. The answer which I gave to my hon. Friend was given to me by the polite authorities, who made inquiries and came to the conclusion that my hon. Friend's information was ill-founded.

Mr. EDWARD WOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of asking his hon. Friend to make a personal report?

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