§ 1. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a precedent exists for the representation by this country to a Foreign Power as to alleged ill-treatment of political prisoners, and that Mr. Gladstone's pamphlets on political prisoners in Naples were sent by our Foreign Office to our representatives at all the Courts of Europe with the view that they should be noted by the various Governments; and whether, having regard to the action which our country has taken in the past in using all legitimate pressure to further political liberty and justice, he will consider the propriety of approaching other Powers on behalf of political captives who are alleged to suffer without trial in the prisons of Portugal and Russia?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)The answer to the hon. Member's question is in the negative.
§ 2. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that the Russian law acknowledges the existence of political prisoners, or any information regarding the sentences passed on such prisoners, or the crimes for which such prisoners are punished; whether the allegations made regarding such prisoners and the punishments inflicted upon them have, so far as the Foreign Office is aware, any authenticity; and whether His Majesty's Government has acquired by treaty, instrument, or capitulation any right or title to inquire into or make representations concerning the internal administration of a friendly Power?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to all the hon. Member's question is in the negative.