§ * MR. O'DOWD (Sligo, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received an affidavit made by one John M?Guinne, a native of County Sligo, Ireland, and some time resident in Honduras, setting forth his claim against the Honduras Government for false imprisonment, confiscation of his property, and other similar actions; and whether it is the intention of the Government to take steps with the view of securing redress and full compensation for Mr. M'Guinne.
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACH (for Lord CRANBORNE)A copy of the affidavit 718 referred to has been received. This statement, drawn up apparently with the help of the documents supplied to Mr. M'Guinne by the Foreign Office, does not throw any fresh light upon the facts of his case against the Honduranean Government. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member on the 8th of July last, a sum of £200 offered as compensation was refused by Mr. M'Guinne. His Majesty's Government do not consider that there is ground for any action on their part beyond an endeavour to obtain a renewal of that offer.
§ * MR. O'DOWDIs Mr. M'Guinne to be denied the rights of an ordinary British subject? Is it not the fact that he refused the amount offered as insufficient?
§ * SIR M. HICKS BEACHYes, I apprehend that that was the ground of his refusal, but the Foreign Office do not appear to have concurred in his view.