§ GENERAL LAURIEI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with reference to the case of John E. Tanner, mate of the British vessel Ida, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who was forcibly removed from his vessel by an 536 armed boat's crew from the Spanish warship Criolla, on 5th May, 1897, at Vajardo, Porto Rico, and was detained in prison without any trial or examination until 2nd July, when he was set at liberty; whether an answer has yet been received by mail from the Consul at Porto Rico; whether a claim has now been made on the Spanish Government; and whether that Government has granted compensation for this unlawful treatment?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I have to say that we heard a month ago, by telegraph, that the Consul's report had already been despatched, but it has not yet been received. Pending its arrival no decision as to a claim can be made.