HC Deb 09 May 1898 vol 57 cc692-7
MR. HEDDERWICK (Wick Burghs)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a Mr. Henry M. Grey, one of the prisoners of the Tourmaline, has made a statement that the said prisoners, who are British subjects, had been kept prisoners for three months without trial, chained together by the neck, shackled with camel shackles, robbed, spat upon, and jeeringly invited to call upon the British Government to come and help them; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the truth of this statement with a view to demand reparation for such treatment?

MR. CURZON

We have received the statement by Mr. Grey. As soon as Her Majesty's Minister at Tangier learnt that the prisoners had been captured he communicated with the Grand Vizier as to their welfare, and requested that they should be subjected to no harsh treatment. On reports reaching Tangier in February last that the prisoners were; ill-treated, Sir Arthur Nicolson brought the matter to the notice of the Grand Vizier, who assured him that orders had been sent to treat them with kindness, and further stated that letters had been sent to Kaid Gilooly to take great cars of the captives, and to supply them with all the provisions they required, and with bed-clothes, tents, and good mules for their journey. At the request of Sir A. Nicolson, fresh orders were sent to that effect. After the statement made by one; of the prisoners in the Consular Court on the 30th ultimo with regard to the ill-treatment they had suffered, Sir A. Nicolson addressed a strong remonstrance to the Moorish Government. He states that he believes the Moorish Government were anxious that the prisoners should be well treated, but that in the early stages of their imprisonment the officer in charge behaved with great harshness until he received strict orders to treat them well. Their treatment then improved and they reached Tangier in good health. Sir A. Nicolson proposes to demand the punishment of this official, and Her Majesty's Government will support the demand.

    c693
  1. AMERICAN TONNAGE DUES. 252 words
    2. cc693-4
  2. EGYPT. 66 words
    3. c694
  3. PRIVATE MEMBERS' BILLS. 145 words
    4. cc694-5
  4. ABSENTEE MEMBERS. 424 words
    5. c696
  5. LOCAL TAXATION IN IRELAND. 54 words
    6. c696
  6. SCOTCH ESTIMATES. 140 words
    7. cc696-7
  7. POSTMASTERS AT FISH-CURING STATIONS. 222 words