§ SIR EDWARD BIRKBECK (Norfolk, E.)I beg to ask my right hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government will use their utmost endeavours to obtain compensation for the loss sustained by English fishermen in the late riots at Ostend, in the same manner as the French Government have obtained compensation from the English Government on account of the slight affray at Ramsgate in October last?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) () Manchester, N.E.I am safe in saying that 472 Her Majesty's Government will do all they properly can to obtain compensation for British fishermen who suffered damage through the default of a Foreign Government. But I must remind my hon. Friend that where there are means of obtaining redress, it is not right for Her Majesty's Government to ask for compensation by direct diplomatic means. Her Majesty's Government have ascertained from the Belgian Government that a remedy does exist, and that an action should be brought for damages sustained, by an action against the Local Authorities at Ostend. That has been pointed out to the parties concerned; and I understand that one of them has taken proceedings against the Local Authorities. Should, there be any failure to obtain a remedy in due course by law, which I have no reason to doubt, Her Majesty's Government will do all in their power to obtain it.