§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to obtain compensation from the Russian Government for Mr. Edward Howorth, of Blackpool, who was shot in St. Petersburg by 1394 a workman during recent political disturbances in that city.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYMr. Howorth's case has been most carefully considered in consultation with His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg. There does not appear to have been any negligence on the part of the authorities such as would justify His Majesty's Government in presenting a claim to the Russian Government.
§ MR. ASHLEYThen what remedy has Mr. Howorth?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe circumstances of the case roughly were these. Mr. Howorth was shot or badly wounded in a private place, and there is no allegation that any Russian official was concerned in any way, or was guilty of negligence. Had a disturbance occurred in this country no charge could have been brought against the local authority, and I do not suppose our Home Office would have entertained the question of compensation.