§ MR. ROBSON (South Shields)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that thirty-six seamen of the crews of the British steamships "St. Helena" and "Battersea Bridge" have been sentenced to three weeks imprisonment at Hong-Kong for refusing to proceed to Japan with contraband of war; and whether, having regard 584 to the terms of His Majesty's proclamation of neutrality, he will take steps to procure the immediate release of these men.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) In answer to the Question addressed to the Secretary to the Board of Trade, His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of the matter, but will telegraph to the Governor of Hong-Kong for particulars.