§ MR. HANBURY-TRACYsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can give the House any further information as to the present condition of the officers and crew of the Tornado?
LORD STANLEYSir, forty-five of the crew of the Tornado, as I stated a few days ago, have been released by the Spanish Government. Immediate steps were taken by the Consul at Cadiz to provide accommodation for these men, and, if it should be necessary, they will be brought home at the public expense, as is usually done in the case of distressed British seamen. With regard to the eight others, they are still detained. I telegraphed to know upon what ground a distinction was made between them and the rest of the crew, and I received a telegraphic reply to the effect that they were detained in case they should be required as witnesses in the event of further proceedings. That reply is not altogether clear; but probably I shall receive more detailed information in a despatch, and until then it will not be expedient to take any further steps in the matter.