HC Deb 15 August 1901 vol 99 c946
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that in the case of an Irish lady (Miss Mary Teresa Barry) who died in Madrid on the 15th June, 1899, leaving considerable property in that city, a Dublin solicitor, acting for the next of kin, communicated with Sir H. M. Durand, British Ambassador at Madrid, so far back as 29th June last asking for information about the property of the deceased, and subsequently cabled requesting a reply, and offering to defray the expense of procuring the information, and that no reply has yet been given; whether he can say if Sir H. M. Durand received such communications; and, if so, why he did not reply; and will he see that Sir H. M. Durand, or the person whose duty it is to interest himself for the protection of the property of British subjects in Madrid, will give immediate attention to this matter.

VISCOUNT CRANBORNE

Nothing is known at the Foreign Office of the matter to which the hon. Member refers, but Sir H. M. Durand will be communicated with, and requested to report.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

Why did you not telegraph to the persons concerned and get an answer direct?

VISCOUNT CRANBORNE

We shall hear through the ambassador.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I will put the question down again to-morrow.