§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the case of Podi Singho, who was dragged from his bed on 10th June, 1915, and shot without trial or accusation, was brought to the notice of his predecessor, now Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 16th May, 1916, and that he replied that he had no reason to believe there was any truth in the story; whether the story has now been confirmed and admitted by the recent Commission of Inquiry; and whether he will now have further inquiry made into the other similar charges which have been made?
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§ Mr. HEWINS:One of the allegations contained in the question of the 16th of May, 1916, and now repeated is that Podi Singho was shot without trial or accusation. It appears from the Report of the local Commission of Inquiry that at the investigation, lasting an hour and a half, which took place before he was shot Podi Singho was proved to have been an active participant in rioting, and that he and the other accused refused to answer when asked if they had anything to say in regard to the evidence given against them. Other features of the story suggested in the previous question are disproved by the Commission's Report. I may add that the Commission found that this execution was illegal, but that it took place in good faith for the maintenance of public order and for the public safety of the Colony.