HC Deb 13 August 1883 vol 283 cc268-9
MR. A. M'ARTHUR

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government are aware that the Rev. G. A. Shaw, agent of the London Missionary Society at Tamatave, is detained a close prisoner on board a French man-of-war, and refused permission to communicate with his friends; whether they have received from the French authorities any statement of the charges brought against Mr. Shaw; and, what steps they have taken to secure a fair investigation into his case?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Yes, Sir; Her Majesty's Government are aware of the arrest and detention of Mr. Shaw, and they understand that he has been refused permission to communicate with his friends. Her Majesty's Government have not yet received from the French authorities any formal statement of the charges against Mr. Shaw; but they have reason to believe that he is accused of what the French Admiral considers a very serious offence. Her Majesty's Government are in communication with the French Government on the subject.

MR. R. N. FOWLER

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received any information concerning the refusal of the French authorities at Ivondro, in Madagascar, to permit a party of twenty-two English subjects including women and children, to proceed from that place to Tamatave in order to embark for England; and, if so, what are the reasons assigned by the French for such proceeding?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Sir, the facts are as follows:—Commander Johnstone learnt a few days before July 7 that a party of English missionaries from Antanarivo had arrived at Ivondro, and, having been interfered with by the Hovas, turned southward to Mahanoro. Captain Johnstone thereupon arranged that the officers in charge of a Government steamer, which had been despatched from the Mauritius to take away any refugees, should call at Mahanoro to take off the missionaries; but it was stated that, owing to the heavy surf, it would be impossible to communicate with the shore. There is a British Vice Consul at Mahanoro, Mr. J. J. Wilson.

MR. HEALY

Will the noble Lord say whether the French Admiral considered this such a serious charge that he has put this clergyman on a plank bed?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I have no information as to that.