§ MR. STOREYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether news had been received of the death of some of the crew of the Nisero?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI regret to have to state that news has been received and forwarded by the Government of the Straits Settlements, under date the 27th of June, to the Fo- 1689 reign Office, to the effect that letters, dated the 26th of May, had been received stating that three of the crew of the Nisero had died. It appears that an epidemic of a choleraic character has broken out among the crew. I need not say how deeply I regret to have to communicate this intelligence to the House, which will be so painful to the relatives and friends of the men; and I am sure that the House will understand how sensible the Foreign Office is of its being their duty to do all they can in the matter. The whole question is at this moment the subject of an interchange of views between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Netherlands; but I cannot communicate the details of what is passing at the present moment.
§ MR. STOREYsaid, that a telegram which he had received stated that other members of the crew were sick; and he wished to know whether this was the case?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI meant to convey that impression when I said that an epidemic had broken out.