MR. GORSTasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, What were the respective dates at which the Government of Gibraltar was directed to prepare for the reception of Zebehr Pasha, and at which he was landed at Gibraltar; whether the Ordinance to authorise his detention in custody was made and published subsequently to his being landed; whether the Ordinance, as published, bore a date prior to that on which it was in fact made; and, what prevented the Ordinance being made before Zebehr Pasha was landed, and with that object it was ante-dated?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe Governor was directed by telegram on the 25th of March to prepare for Zebehr's reception. Zebehr landed at Gibraltar on the 30th of March. The Ordinance was passed on the 27th of March, and its publication was reported by the Governor on the 30th of March, the day of the landing. It is clear, therefore, that the Ordinance was not ante-dated.
MR. GORSTCan the hon. Gentleman say, whether it is not a fact that this Order was never published in Gibraltar until some hours after Zebehr Pasha had landed?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYNo, Sir. We received a communication from the Governor on the 30th, at 6 o'clock, stating that the Ordinance had been published. He does not say at what hour.
MR. GORSTThen I will ask again whether it is not a fact that the Ordinance was not published until several hours after Zebehr Pasha had landed, when it was published in an unusual and unprecedented manner?
§ MR. O'DONNELLHas the Legislature of Gibraltar power, whenever required by Her Majesty's Government, to pass an order for the imprisonment, without trial, of any foreign person who happens to land on those shores?
§ [No reply.]