HC Deb 24 March 1882 vol 267 cc1815-6
COLONEL OWEN WILLIAMS

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to the vexatious and expensive restrictions lately imposed on British vessels trading to the Spanish Mediterranean Ports, inasmuch as ships direct from England (should they have called at Gibraltar) are subjected to a delay of three days' quarantine, notwithstanding that they carry clean bills of health duly approved and signed by the Spanish Consul at that place; if so, whether he has been in communication with the Spanish Government on the subject; and, in that case, whether he has received a satisfactory explanation of the very unusual course that Government has adopted in ignoring without notice the bills of health issued by their own Consul at Gibraltar?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, Her Majesty's Government have received no complaint on the subject.

COLONEL OWEN WILLIAMS

said, that he would repeat the Question in a few days. Perhaps, in the meantime, the hon. Gentleman would obtain the information?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, I am quite sure that the records of the sanitary authority have been searched, and that no complaints have been received.