HC Deb 23 November 1882 vol 274 c1931
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If Her Majesty's Government have received any assurances from the Spanish Government that the Cuban refugees will not be subjected to any penalty or maltreatment until the Commission of Inquiry have made their report, or until Her Majesty's Government are in a position to state their views upon the subject to the Government of Spain?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

We feel sure that the prisoners will not be subjected to penalty or maltreatment pending inquiry into the rights of the case; and Her Majesty's Government think it would be unadvisable and scarcely courteous to make any representation or request which would imply a doubt on the subject.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

observed, that on Tuesday the Question that had just been answered was said by the hon. Baronet not to arise out of a Question on the same subject then on the Notice Paper. He doubted whether it fell within the hon. Baronet's province to make such a statement.

MR. O'KELLY

asked whether it was true that General Maceo had been deprived of the right of communicating freely with his friends?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

I am unable to answer that Question, as we have no information with regard to the treatment of the prisoner named by the hon. Member.