HC Deb 14 March 1879 vol 244 c907
MR. MACDONALD

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If his attention has been directed to the case of David Julian, a Cardiff pilot, who engaged to take the Italian barque "Volta" to the limit of the Cardiff pilotage in December last, but through stress of weather was carried to Genoa, the passage lasting forty-nine days; whether it is true that while on the passage he asked for a bed and was refused, and told wet sails were good enough for pilots; whether, also, it is true that, though he had no underclothing, towel, or razor, and when he asked such from the captain, he absolutely refused to give him anything; whether the sum paid to Julian through the British Consul at Genoa was a sufficient remuneration for the time he lost and such gross indignities; and, if these allegations are true, whether he will make a searching inquiry into the whole matter, with a view to redress for the treatment he was compelled to submit to?

MR. BOURKE

In reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that a communication has been received at the Foreign Office, containing most of the allegations that are mentioned in the Question. Her Majesty's Ambassador at Rome will be instructed to make a communication to the Italian Government on the subject.