§ 61 Sir A. MARKHAMasked the Prime Minister (1) what is the coloured population of the British Empire overseas; what percentage has been raised to fight in this War; why have steps not been taken to increase the supply of these British subjects serving in His Majesty's Armies: (2) whether, seeing that there are some millions of coloured fighting men in South Africa, Cape Boys, Zulus, Basirtos, Matabele, Swazi, Mashonas, Barotze, Bechuana, and other tribes in Cape Colony, will he take steps in conjunction with the Union Government to start recruiting among these British subjects; (3) whether his attention has been directed to the fact that large numbers of good fighting men of coloured stock can be readily raised and trained in East Africa to be ready for active service in the summer of 1917; whether His Majesty's Government have yet considered the desirability of increasing our fighting strength by the employment of these British subjects; and (4) whether His Majesty's Government will now sanction the enlistment and training of fighting 495 tribes in German East Africa now subject to our rule; and whether he is aware that many of these tribes are anxious to fight against the Germans owing to the oppression and injustice they have suffered under German administration?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to answer these questions. To give the percentage of coloured men actually fighting to the whole coloured population would be of no value, and would be a slur on these races. The question of climate limits to a very great extent their employment, as also the conditions under which they would be called upon to fight. Steps are being taken to ascertain to what further extent these coloured races can be employed—and it is hoped that the result of these inquiries from those who have had practical experience in commanding these troops may be satisfactory.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs it not the fact that the South African Government have refused the offer by the Barotse and other tribes who have expressed their willingness to fight for us, and why, therefore, has His Majesty's Government delayed the matter for two years, when it has been said that it is the last million men that will bring the War to an end?
§ Mr. FORSTERReally it is a very difficult question.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMOf course it is, all the more reason—
§ Mr. FORSTERI agree with my hon. Friend that it should be carefully considered, and it was very carefully considered. But in the light of recent representations, like those of my hon. and gallant Friend (Major Wedgwood), who has just come back from where these black troops have been employed, further inquiries are being made by those actually in command of them.
§ Major WEDGWOODIs it true that we have actually refused two divisions of Basutos?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have not any information to that effect.
§ Mr. DILLONWould the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to the House of Commons that this policy of bringing over a large force of African 496 natives to fight in Europe will not be embarked upon without giving the House of Commons an opportunity to consider it?
§ Sir A. MARKHAMWill the House be given an opportunity of considering why there is no recruiting in Ireland?
§ Mr. DILLONThat is a most insolent and offensive remark.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not think that is a proper term to use.
§ Mr. DILLONWith all deference to you, Sir, was it a proper expression for the hon. Member to say that there was no recruiting in Ireland?
§ Sir A. MARKHAMNo compulsory recruiting!
§ Mr. DILLONIn the first place, it is false; in the second place, it is most insolent!
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIt is improper to compare Irish with blacks.
§ Mr. SPEAKERSometimes expressions escape from hon. Members more quickly than I can stop them. If I could have stopped the hon. Member I certainly should have done so. The remark was quite irrelevant, and it was provocative.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMAm I not entitled, when an hon. Member asks why other British citizens should not join in the fighting, and when the French Government are using coloured battalions in every brigade, to ask why compulsory service should not be applied to Ireland?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is not entitled to ask such a question. These matters are more properly raised in Debate, and not at Question Time. The object of questions is to obtain information and not to make charges across the floor of the House.
§ Major WEDGWOODCan we have an opportunity of debating this question?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLCan we have an opportunity of discussing this, perhaps on the Vote for the Colonial Office to-night?