§ MR. ALDERMAN LUSKsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, having regard to the statements laid on the table of the House, showing that the Tornado was regularly cleared by the Customs at the Port of Leith, and was seized on the high seas by the Spanish authorities, and that Captain Collier, commander, thereby lost all his private papers and effects, and has been kept in suspense and anxiety for eighteen months, half of that time a prisoner in Spain, "and is absolutely ruined and now almost destitute," through the action of the Government of that country, he intends to move in any way to obtain redress for a British subject who has been thus dealt with by a Foreign Power; and, if any and what steps are being taken for the liberation of John M'Pherson, one of the crew of the said vessel, who is still a captive in Spain and detained there without apparent hope of relief?
LORD STANLEYsaid, in reply, that if the hon. Member would refer to the Papers which had been laid before Parliament within the last few days, he would find a full account of all the steps which had been taken by Her Majesty's Government in the case of the Tornado. They had pressed on the Spanish Government the necessity of a speedy settlement, and the answer of that Government would be found at page 25 of the blue book. As to whether Captain Collier was entitled to redress would depend on the result of the proceedings. M'Pherson's release had been asked for on the ground of his long detention; but there had not been as yet time to receive an answer.