HC Deb 02 March 1883 vol 276 cc1256-7
SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether at any period since 1868 application has been made by the Government of Cuba to the Government of the Bahamas for the surrender of political refugees from Cuba who had sought asylum in the Bahamas; and, whether at any time during that period any Cuban refugees residing in the Bahamas were forcibly taken away from those islands by a vessel belonging to or chartered by the Cuban Government; and, if so, whether any representation was made on the subject to the Government of Spain?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

In August, 1869, application was made by the Spanish Consul at Nassau to the Governor of the Bahamas for the arrest and detention of five Cubans who had landed there. This application was refused by the Governor. In April, 1870, the Governor refused to surrender two deserters from a Spanish ship of war. These are the two sole cases at all resembling applications such as those mentioned in the Question. There is no record in the Colonial Office of any such occurrence as that mentioned in the latter part of the Question.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

May I ask whether the Governor was not reprimanded either by Earl Granville or the Earl of Kimberley for having refused to surrender?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

I do not think so. There is no record of it; but if the hon. Gentleman will repeat the Question I will answer it.