§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSON (Middlesborough)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that six firemen, who joined the steamship Darwin at Glasgow on 26th October, 1896, and proceeded on a voyage to Buenos Ayres, were charged by the captain 1419 with not maintaining a sufficient quantity of steam; that when the vessel arrived at Rosario the firemen were taken before H.B.M. Consul, who refused to interfere as he believed the men were doing their best; and whether he is aware that when the vessel arrived at Buenos Ayres the captain again took the firemen before H.B.M. Consul General at that port, who ordered the men to go back to their ship, which they did; and whether, shortly afterward, six policemen went on board, arrested the six firemen, and took them to a prison, where they were incarcerated for 17 days without a trial of any kind having been held; and whether it is true that the men were employed working without pay for the Harbour Authorities, and confined at nights in filthy cells; and whether he can state if H.B.M.'s Consuls abroad have power to imprison British seamen without trial before a Naval Court; and, if not, whether he will take steps to call upon the Consul at Buenos Ayres to explain his conduct in, this matter?
§ MR. RITCHIEI find that the attention of the Board of Trade has already been called by the hon. Member himself to the case referred to at such length in the Question. The Consul at Buenos Ayres has been requested to report fully upon all the circumstances; and, so soon as his report is received, a communication, shall be sent to the hon. Member.