§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any claims have been put forward by His Majesty's Government to the Russian Government demanding compensation for the sailors and firemen of the British steamer "Allanton," which vessel was wrongly captured by the Russian naval authorities; whether he is aware that some of the crew of the "Allanton" were kept prisoners on the Russian warships whilst these vessels 929 were being chased by Japanese cruisers; whether he is taking any steps to secure for foreign seamen employed on British ships the same protection as British seamen; whether he can state the position of the negotiations at the present time; and whether His Majesty's Government intend to press for a settlement of the claims of the crew of the "Allanton."
§ THE UNDER - SECRETARY OF STATE FOE FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Earl PERCY,) Kensington, S.Complaints have been made on behalf of the sailo s and firemen on board the "Allanton" for hardships sustained by them during their detention, but no specific claims for compensation have as yet been forwarded to us. Their statement makes no reference to the Russian warships to which some of the crew had been transferred being chased by Japanese cruisers. As regards the third paragraph of the Question, no steps for asserting generally the position of foreigners on board British ships are, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, necessary, as each case must depend on its special circumstances.
§ SIR ALBERT ROLLITMay I ask whether the claims put forward on behalf of the sailors are admitted, and what is the reason for the great delay that has taken place.
§ EARL PERCYsaid they were still waiting for further information, as they had only got the preliminary statements. They had not made any statement to the Russian Government pending the further statement of the case of the seamen.