MR. OTWAYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any complaint had been made to the Foreign Office relating to certain French political prisoners who had been put handcuffed on board English steamers by the French police, and landed in this Country in a state of utter destitution; and, whether Her Majesty's Government had addressed or intended to address any communications to the Government of France in consequence of these proceedings? The hon. Gentleman said that he had ascertained that the handcuffs were taken off before the prisoners were brought on board the English steamer. He had learned that the prisoners were landed in January, at Newhaven, without sufficient clothing, and in a state of utter destitution, and without a farthing in their pockets, 871 and that they walked to London from Newhaven, living on roots and turnips all the way.
§ VISCOUNT ENFIELDA gentleman called at the Foreign Office some days ago to make the statement referred to by my hon. Friend, and he was requested to send it in a written form, in order that such action as was required might he taken upon it. That statement has reached me only since I came down to the House to-day, so I can only assure my hon. Friend that it shall he at once submitted to the consideration of the Secretary of State.