HC Deb 24 November 1882 vol 275 cc6-8
SIR R. ASSHETON CROSS

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he has yet received, by telegram or otherwise, the Report of the Committee of inquiry as to the case of the Cuban Refugees; and, if so, whe- ther he will lay it upon the Table of the House?

MR. O'KELLY

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, When he will be able to communicate to the House the result of the investigation into the surrender of Colonel Maceo and his companions to the Spanish Government?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

If the right hon. Baronet will recall my answer of Tuesday last, he and the House will see that no time has been lost when I tell them that the despatch is now on its road between Gibraltar and this place. We got a telegram from the Governor the day before yesterday, saying that it would be sent off yesterday morning. Considering the very important and complicated issues that are involved, Her Majesty's Government have thought that it would not be proper and would hardly be decent not to wait for the Report.

SIR R. ASSHETON CROSS

Do I understand that the Government have received no telegram at all as to the substance of that Report?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

Yes, Sir.

SIR R. ASSHETON CROSS

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government have taken any steps to secure the release of the Cuban refugees by the Spanish Government; and, if so, what steps have been taken for that purpose; and, whether he will lay all the Correspondence between the British and Spanish Governments upon the Table of the House?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Under the circumstances disclosed in the reply of my hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, it is clear that it would be a gross dereliction of duty on the part of Her Majesty's Government if, having to deal with so delicate a matter as the alleged misconduct of Colonial authorities, they committed themselves to any particular course until they had full opportunity of considering the Report which is on its way he me, and which will contain all the details of the case.

SIR R. ASSHETON CROSS

What I want to understand is this. These people are for the moment condemned to imprisonment, and we desire to know whether Her Majesty's Government have made any representations at all to the Spanish Government up to the present moment?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

I have already said on four or five occasions in this House that communications have been made; but those communications, as we have not a full knowledge of particulars, have been of an unofficial character.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I wish to know whether it is a fact that the wife and sister-in-law of General Maceo have been imprisoned by the Spanish authorities?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Perhaps the hon. Member will give Notice of his Question.

SIR R. ASSHETON CROSS

I will repeat both of my Questions next week.