MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, can he state what is the total amount of compensation paid, or undertaken to be paid, up to date either to the German Government or to German subjects in respect of the detention and visit or search of German vessels suspected of carrying contraband of war to the King's enemies in South Africa; can he further give the number and names of the German vessels in respect of which any such compensation has been paid or promised. Can he state generally the grounds on which such compensation was claimed and allowed; and can he say out of what funds it has been provided.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD CRANBORNE,) RochesterA sum of £28,380 was paid in September, 1900, to the German Government, in respect of compensation for the seizure and detention of the three German mail steamers, "General," "Bundesrath," and "Herzog;" of the German sailing ship "Hans Wagner" and of the German barque "Marie." This amount was arrived at after careful consideration by a joint Anglo-German Committee, which sat at the Foreign Office, and it was based on what appeared a fair and reasonable calculation of the expenses necessarily incurred. The amount so awarded was paid out of Navy Funds.
§ * LORD CRANBORNEThat question should be addressed to the Admiralty.