HC Deb 21 August 1883 vol 283 cc1497-8
SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Papers belonging to Consul Pakenham and the Consular Archives in Madagascar were examined by the French authorities on the death of Consul Pakenham; and, whether his private Papers and the Consular Archives are at present intact in the hands of Captain Johnstone, or any other British authority?

LORD EDMOND FITZ MAURICE

No, Sir. Commander Johnstone has reported that, before the Consul's death, he made arrangements for the removal on board the Dryad of the Consular archives and Mr. Pakenham's papers. They were, consequently, not examined by the French authorities after the Consul's death.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether information has been received of the arrest, at Madagascar, of Mr. Aiken, a British subject, who is stated, at the request of Consul Pakenham, to have given shelter during the bombardment to all the British residents at Tamatave; and, what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to obtain the release of this British subject, as well as satisfaction for his arrest?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Mr. Aiken was arrested on the 16th of June, not for having given shelter during the bombardment to British residents, but on a supposed charge of complicity in Mr. Shaw's offence. He was released on the following day. I cannot at present make any further statement.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

May I ask whether during the bombardment of Alexandria Her Majesty's naval authorities arrested any French subjects who might have been in communication with the Natives?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I think that is a Question of which the hon. Member had better give me Notice?