§ MR. HEDDERWICK (Wick Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Consul General at Antwerp has recently been pursuing inquiries in Belgium with a view to obtain evidence against the prisoners of the Tourmaline, at present remanded for trial at Tangiers; whether this course of action by the Consul General referred to has been undertaken at the request of Her Majesty's Consul at Tangiers, where these prisoners are about to be tried; and whether such proceedings spring from instructions from the Foreign Office or have the countenance or sanction of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs?
MR. CURZONThe necessary steps have been taken for the preparation of the case in question, which is now before the Consular Court at Tangier, but in the interests of justice I must decline at the present time to enter into details.
§ MR. KEMP (Lancashire, Heywood)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of Stats for Foreign Affairs if any steps have already been taken, or whether the Government will be prepared to take steps, to secure to the English Tourmaline prisoners redress for the maltreatment they have received?
MR. CURZONThis point will receive consideration later, when fuller information has been obtained, and when the explanations of the Moorish Government have been received.