§ MR. W. S. ROBSON (South Shields)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, on the 9th May last, an English sailor, Thomas Storrer, of the s.s. Silverton, was seriously wounded by the police of Venice, one of whom shot him while he was in their custody and making no attempt at escape; whether it is the fact that no punishment has been imposed on the officer who fired the shot; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the case, and procure the punishment of that officer, or such compensation for Storrer as the circumstances may show to be proper?
MR. CURZONThe incident was duly reported by Her Majesty's Consul at Venice to the Board of Trade on the 12th of May. The Inspector of Police furnished the Consul with a statement of the circumstances, to the effect that Storrer attempted to throw one of the police officers into the sea, and at the same time to release himself from the grasp of another, who drew his pistol, wounding Storrer, it is alleged, accidentally. The bullet was successfully extracted at the hospital, and it does not appear that the wound has had any serious consequences. The trial of Storrer and of the other seamen charged with him with riotous conduct was concluded on the 11th instant. They were sentenced to 32 days' imprisonment, but were immediately released, having already been detained that time in prison. The police officer who fired the shot was acquitted. The Consul applied for and was authorised to provide legal assistance for the men. Her Majesty's Ambassador at Rome, who has been apprised of the fact by the Consul, will be requested to state his views on the case, concerning which we have at present no further information.