§ MR. WATT (Glasgow, Camlachie)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether a Representative, despatched by the Governor of the Colony of British Guiana to the territory declared by the Proclamation of last December to be part of the Colony, was compelled by Venezuelan authorities to appear before an official at Guacipati, detained for some days, and ordered to leave by a foreign route; and, if so, what action will be taken by the Government to resent this infraction of British rights by the arrest of a Colonial Representative?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N. E.)Mr. McTurk, an official of British Guiana, was sent at the end of last year to ascertain the correctness of reported disturbances in the Yurnari district. No official Report of his journey has been received; but it is stated in a local newspaper that on his arrival at El Callao he was stopped by the Venezuelan authorities and required to return by the route open to the public. Mr. McTurk is understood to be on his way to Trinidad, and we must await his Report before forming any opinion upon what has happened. A telegram has been sent to Trinidad to ascertain the nature of his Report. The district in question has been for some time past in dispute between this country and Venezuela. The object of the Proclamation referred to was to safeguard any British rights which might be infringed 1479 by the concession for a railway granted by the President of Venezuela.