§ 15. Mr. SPOORasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the reports of the flogging of two women in the open-air market-place at Bauchi, South Africa; and whether he will make inquiries as to the truth or otherwise of the statements that for passing through the Residency grounds these two women were sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, and that the British resident official ordered that whilst serving their sentence the two women should receive twenty-five lashes each, while naked, in the open market-place every month?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieutenant-Colonel Amery)My attention has been called to these statements which have appeared in certain newspapers dealing with West African affairs, and which, I am informed, will shortly form the subject of an action for libel. Pending the result of the trial it would not be proper for me to comment on the allegations.
§ Mr. BILLINGCan the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the statement that this flogging took place, and whether it is proposed to go on; and will he see that it is stopped in the interests of British decency?
§ Lieutenant-Colonel AMERYI made it quite clear in my reply that it would not 2882 be proper for me to make any statement on the subject pending the action in question.
§ Mr. BILLINGAre we to understand that this flogging is still going on in a public place, and that the British allow it pending a libel action?
§ Lieutenant-Colonel AMERYHe is not to understand anything of the sort.