HC Deb 14 May 1885 vol 298 c484
MR. JUSTIN HUNTLYM'CARTHY

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has made any further inquiries with respect to the alleged proclamation issued by the Commandant at Sarras, putting a price upon the head of Olivier Pain; and, whether, if the proclamation was really issued, the Government will follow the course adopted with regard to a similar proclamation issued about Osman Digna, and insist upon its immediate withdrawal?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

(who replied): Her Majesty's Government have no reason to believe that the report is true; but Sir Evelyn Baring will be instructed to make inquiries on the subject. All that is known at the Foreign Office is, that Sir Evelyn Baring reported, on May 5, that it was proposed to arrest Pain, and hand him over to the British Military Authorities as a prisoner of war. In reply, Sir Evelyn Baring was instructed on the same day that the arrest seemed unnecessary, and the police received orders accordingly. Sir Evelyn Baring requested Lord Wolseley to telegraph similar instructions to the Military Authorities. Pain is supposed to have left for Europe on May 10.