§ MR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAINI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government are aware of the circumstances under which Captain W. Jones, a British subject, is now kept imprisoned by the authorities of Hamburg; whether he is aware that the ship of which he was master capsized while being towed to the docks at Hamburg for repairs; that at the time of the accident the ship was in the charge of Captain Potter, the representative of the owners; that Captain Potter has since absconded, and Captain Jones, who was not responsible for the accident, has been put into prison in his place; and that the owners have offered a thousand pounds as bail for Captain Jones's appearance, but that the offer has been rejected; and whether, under these circumstances, Her Majesty's Government can make any representations which may lead to the immediate release of Captain Jones on bail or otherwise?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. J. W. LOWTHER,) Cumberland, PenrithThe facts referred to in the right hon. Gentleman's question have been communicated to the Foreign Office. It is impossible at present to say whether any ground exists for diplomatic representation, as the case seems to have been dealt with by the competent legal tribunals. The Consul General at Hamburg has been instructed to inquire and report upon the matter.