§ MR. KING (Hull, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether information has been received that the British steam trawler, Sir Albert Rollit, was seized on the Coast of Denmark, and captured by a Danish gunboat, and taken into the port of Esbjerg, and that this and 901 another vessel, captured in the same way, were released at the instance of an Esbjerg gentleman connected with English trade; and whether, in view of such contingencies, and in view of the recent development and growing importance of the port of Esbjerg, it would be possible to appoint a Vice Consul at that port?
SIR J. GORST (for Sir J. FERGUSSON)Her Majesty's Minister has reported the occurrence. The British steam trawler in question and at the same time a Danish steam trawler were seized as described, and the Sir Albert Rollit having been found guilty of a breach of the Danish fishing laws was released on payment of a fine and the confiscation of one of her trawls. The incident appears to have had no extraordinary features. There has not hitherto been any proposal to appoint a Consular officer at Esbjerg, but the suggestion will be considered.