§ MR. PLIMSOLLasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention has been called to the case of six seamen having been charged for refusing duty on board the "Tiara," the allegation against them being that they refused to wash the deck on a Sunday morning; upon proof of which they were sentenced by two Liverpool magistrates to twelve weeks in gaol and forfeiture of wages, that being the maximum punishment inflicted even where danger to the ship and to lives on board results from insubordination; and, whether, if the facts are as stated, he has any objection to order the immediate release of these men?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in reply, said, according to a letter he had received from the magistrates, the men were not in prison, so he could not let them out. In the next place, there must be some great mistake in the evidence, as nothing was said about refusing to wash the deck on Sunday morning. The men were not imprisoned for 12 weeks, nor was the maximum forfeiture of wages 1143 imposed upon them. What the magistrates said in answer to the evidence which had been sent down to them was that there were two informations—one against some of the men for disobedience of lawful orders on the high seas on the 1st of December, and the second against others of them for the same offence on the 8th of that month. Both those days, however, were Saturdays. Upon the case being called on, Dr. Cummings, who appeared for the men, said that they pleaded guilty. No evidence, therefore, was taken. The two magistrates before whom the case was tried, after hearing a statement of the circumstances, thought it one for four weeks' imprisonment, and not 12, and for two days's deduction of pay, and not the maximum amount. The seamen were in combination, and it was on that account the punishment was inflicted. The version of the transaction contained in the hon. Gentleman's Question was evidently incorrect.