§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)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.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Viscount CRANBORNE, Rochester)This is not the first time the hon. Member has put this question. I am sorry I have been unable to give him satisfaction. The letter has probably been written by now. There is no occasion for any hurry.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENDid I not place in the noble Lord's hands a letter dated two months back which said it was of the greatest importance the matter should be attended to at once? Why not telegraph to the Minister responsible for protecting the interests of British subjects?
§ VISCOUNT CRANBORNEThe hon. Member may rest assured that the matter shall have every attention.