§ SIR THOMAS DEWAR (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will ascertain under what circumstances two British steamers, the "Menelaus" and "Crew Hall," were, on Monday, the 11th instant, stopped in the Red Sea by an armed Russian cruiser, the detention in the case of the "Menelaus" being as much as four hours.
(Answered by Earl Percy.) His Majesty's Government are aware that several British steamers have been stopped by armed Russian vessels in the Red Sea. They recognise that the matter is one of grave importance, and full investigation is being made.