§ MR. C. J. DARLING (Deptford)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what information he now has concerning the extradition of Jabez Balfour; and what has been the result of the legal proceedings taken against Jabez Balfour in the Courts of Salta?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS(Sir E. GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)The judgment of the Fiscal General at Salta was delivered on the 20th, and was entirely unfavourable to Balfour in the Klix suit. The Appeal Court has also quashed this suit. We are informed that it still remains for the Judge to decide if there is ground for action at all in a suit brought by a man named Borth-wick, and whether it is civil or criminal, but that this is the only remaining obstacle, and that it is not considered probable that it will be sustained by the Argentine Republic.
§ MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)The hon. Baronet says the decision was unfavourable to Balfour. Does that mean that he was acquitted of the charge?
§ SIR E. GREYI think the terms I have given are taken from the telegram received, and they are so satisfactory, so far as that suit is concerned, that I do not think I can advisedly add to them.
§ MR. C. J. DARLINGCan the hon. Baronet tell us when the suit in which Borth wick is prosecutor or plaintiff is likely to be decided?
§ SIR E. GREYWe only heard this morning that the proceedings of the Salta Brewery case were finally decided, and it is only reasonable to suppose, as Borthwick is the lessee of the brewery, that this decision will also carry with it a decision in Borthwick's case. From what I have already stated I think the hon. Member will see that there is some 171 reason to hope that that is the view which will be finally taken.