HC Deb 31 July 1905 vol 150 cc902-3
MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number of foreign seamen who have been convicted and sent to prison by the marine magistrates at the port of Hong-Kong for refusing to proceed in British vessels from that port, on the grounds that the vessels were carrying contraband of war, for the period covered from November, 1904, up to June 30th, 1905.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) I am not in possession of the information, but I will ask the Governor for a report on the point.

MR. NANNETTI

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any men are imprisoned at Hong-Kong at the present time under sentence for refusing to proceed in vessels loaded with contraband of war; and, if so, whether he will order the release of these seamen.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative.

MR. NANNETTI

To ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the crew of the British steamer "Franklyn" were convicted by the marine magistrate at Hong-Kong in the early part of this year and sentenced to ten weeks imprisonment for refusing to proceed in the "Franklyn" on the grounds of the vessel being loaded with contraband of war; that the men, on receiving the sentence, were handcuffed together and marched through the streets of Hong-Kong, whilst Chinamen followed them and jeered at them; that the men, on receiving the sentence, demanded an appeal to the Superior Court of Hong-Kong; and whether, seeing that the marine magistrate refused to allow them to appeal and refused to allow the men to have legal aid, any steps will be taken to remove the marine magistrate.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttelton.) As I stated on June 23rd,† in reply to the hon. Member, I have asked the Governor for a report on this case, but there has not yet been time to receive his reply.