Mr. LLEWELYN WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for War whether the jurisdiction of the Central Judicial Commission was confined to investigating claims with regard to goods requisitioned by the military authorities in South Africa during the Boer War; whether he is aware that the Commission investigated and decided upon the claim of Mr. S. Michaelson, of Pretoria, who alleged that he had supplied goods under contract to the British Army in occupation of Pretoria in June, 1900; by whose authority or direction was Mr. Michaelson's claim referred to the Central Judicial Commission; whether Mr. Michaelson was informed of such proceedings; whether he consented to have his claim so adjudicated upon; whether he is aware that Mr. Michaelson accepted the sum of £12,000 awarded to him by the Comsion under protest, and still claims a balance of £36,163 7s. 8d. as being due to him; and whether the Government will refer the question as to whether the goods were requisitioned or supplied under contract to the arbitration of some impartial tribunal?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe Central Judicial Commission only investigated cases of requisitions, and accordingly investigated this claim, presumably satisfying itself that this was such a case. The claim was referred to the Commission by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa, and Mr. Michaelson was informed of these proceedings. There is no record of his objecting to this procedure, and he duly appeared before the Commission. Mr. Michaelson accepted the sum of £12,000 in full payment. I do not propose to take any further steps in the matter, as, after investigating the matter personally, I am satisfied that the goods were requisitioned.