§ MR. ANDERSONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If Her Majesty's Government has yet succeeded in getting the Venezuelan Government to implement the obligations of the treaty it has been violating by charging thirty per cent. extra duty against goods from British Colonies; whether they have yet received any information regarding the seizure of the two vessels in the Maturin River by the Venezuelan Government on the allegation that they were trying to evade that duty; whether some of the crews, being British subjects, were imprisoned for several months; and, whether any redress is to be got for that imprisonment, and for the damage to the vessels?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEWith regard to the differential duties, Her Majesty's Government have now under consideration certain proposals which, it is hoped, will be accepted by 652 the Venezuelan Government, and which will effect the removal of the duties complained of. Her Majesty's Government have received Reports from Her Majesty's Minister at Caracas upon the subject of the seizure of the two vessels in the Maturin River by the Venezuelan authorities, and the imprisonment, for various periods, of some of the crews, who were British subjects. The crews have been released. The action of Her Majesty's Minister, in making representations to the Venezuelan Government, has been approved; and he has been informed that, after communication with the Government of Trinidad, he will be furnished with instructions as to the redress which Her Majesty's Government will require for the acts of the Venezuelan authorities. The Colonial Office have been requested to instruct the Governor of Trinidad to furnish Reports upon the cases.