HC Deb 12 June 1890 vol 345 cc710-1
MR. COGHILL (Newcastle-under-Lyme)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is true that an Englishman has been fired upon and killed by an Italian sentry at Genoa; what were the circumstances which led to his being fired upon; and what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOB FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.

A Report has been made by Her Majesty's Consul that a fireman belonging to a British steamer lying in the port had been shot dead by a sentry posted on one of the batteries. The Consul has been informed by the General in Command that the sentry asserted that he had repeatedly challenged the man, who continued to advance upon his post, and was shot at a distance of a few paces from him. The man had got out of his direct way back to his ship, and his conduct cannot be explained. The matter has been referred to Her Majesty's Ambassador, whose Report we are awaiting.