§ Mr. M'ARTHURasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position of the claims by British subjects against the Russian Government for compensation in the cases of the "St. Kilda" (cotton and rice), "Hip Sang," "Oldhamia," "Knight Commander," and "Calchas," respectively; have the Russian prize courts finally dealt with these cases, and, if so, to what effect; has the Court of Appeal at St. Petersburg decided that cotton is absolute contraband; have the Russian Government declined the proposal of the British Government to refer disputed cases to the arbitration of the Hague tribunal; and does he propose to make further diplomatic representations in any of these cases?
§ Sir E. GREYAs regards the cargo of cotton and rice on the "St. Kilda," the Supreme Prize Court has dismissed the claims. I would also refer the hon. Mem- 212 ber to my reply to the hon. Member for the Lowestoft Division of 8th July last. In the case of the "Hipsang" I must refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 22nd February last. Since that date the Russian Government have informed His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg (in May last) that the evidence of an important witness on their behalf at Vladivostock was still outstanding, but that the case was otherwise completed for hearing by the Supreme Prize Court. His Majesty's Government have repeatedly pressed that the hearing should be accelerated. With regard to the "Oldhamia," the judgment of the Supreme Prize Court has been received. Its effect is as stated in my reply to the hon. Member of 22nd February last. I understand, however, that the owners are awaiting a further report from the advocate in charge of the case. In the case of the "Knight Commander," the position as regards the owners of the vessel is unaltered since my reply to the hon. Member of 22nd February last. The assessment of the claims of owners of innocent cargo is, however, to come before the Libau Prize Court; but I understand that the case may not be heard at the next sitting of the court, which is fixed for this month or next, as it was heard in the first instance by the Vladivostock Court, and so is new to the Libau Court. There has been no development of the case of the "Calchas" since my reply to the hon. Member of 22nd February. In two cases the Supreme Prize Court has decided that the cotton on board was absolute contraband, and as regards the question of these cases being submitted to arbitration, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for the Lowestoft Division of 8th July last. In the cases of the "Malacca," "St. Kilda," "Ikhona," and "Foxton Hall," the claim to some compensation has been conceded.
§ Mr. M'ARTHURWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer the last clause of my question?
§ Sir E. GREYThe cases are not yet all concluded. We are doing what we can to accelerate the hearing of them, but I cannot answer that particular question of the hon. Member until the decisions in all the cases are actually known.