2. Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any report of the trial of a corporal of the Portuguese army for the murder of the Rev. A. J. Douglas on Lake Nyasa; if His Majesty's Government were represented at the trial; if there were any 739 provocative or extenuating circumstances justifying the sentence; and whether the Portuguese Government have offered, or have been asked, to pay adequate compensation to the relatives of the victim?
§ Sir E. GREYI have as yet only received telegraphic reports of the result of the trial, which moreover differ as to the sentence passed. I must await fuller reports before taking any decision in the matter. A Nyasaland official was deputed to be present, at the trial, and an interpreter was engaged for him by His Majesty's Consul-General at Lorenco Marques. Particulars as to the sentence, so far as we at present possess them, were given yesterday in answer to a question from the hon. Member for the Newport Division of Shropshire.
§ Sir E. GREYI am told it is on its way.
§ Mr. ASHLEYMay I ask whether any demand for compensation has been made?
§ Sir E. GREYWe are waiting for the full report of the trial before we come to a final decision.
§ Mr. STANIERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will specially ask the reasons there should be such a great difference between the two reports of this trial?
§ Sir E. GREYNo doubt it will be apparent when we get the full Report.