HC Deb 05 July 1897 vol 50 c1112
SIR CHARLES CAMERON

I beg to ask the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the arrest and imprisonment by the Venezuelan authorities at Ciudad Bolivar, in November last, of Mr. James Gibson, a British subject, engineer on board the steamship Caura on the alleged ground that the owners of that vessel had refused to pay a fine imposed in respect of a violation of the rules of the port; whether it is true, as alleged by Mr. Gibson, that he was forcibly taken from his steamer and lodged in prison without any of the formalities enjoyed by Venezuelan law; whether he has sent in a claim for compensation for the suffering and injury to health caused by this illegal treatment; and whether her Majesty's Government have taken any steps to support his claim?

*MR. CURZON

We have heard nothing of the case and have received no claim. If the hon. Baronet cares to place any information before me, I shall be happy to give it attention.

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