§ 1. Mr. SANDYSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mr. C. L. Coxwell, a British subject in the employ of the Rio de Janeiro Lighterage Company, was attacked in the Rio de Janeiro docks in broad daylight at 5 p.m. on the 12th February, and that no arrests of the perpetrators of the outrage have yet been made; and whether he can make any statement as to what steps have been taken to protect British subjects from similar assaults in the future?
§ Mr. ACLANDHis Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Rio has already made urgent representations to the Brazilian Government in this matter, and has impressed upon them the necessity of arresting and punishing Mr. Coxwell's assailants and of putting a stop generally to the acts of terrorism perpetrated by certain stevedores in the port of Rio.
Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he will repeat the reply, as it was impossible to hear it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members would hear if they would abstain from conversation.
§ Mr. REMNANTI was not engaged in any conversation.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe reason why hon. Members could not hear was that they or their Friends were engaged in conversation with each other, instead of listening when the hon. Gentleman was replying.
§ Mr. REMNANTI was listening attentively, and not engaged in any conversation, and although the hon. Gentleman spoke almost on a level with you, we did not hear a word.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere was conversation going on at the time.
§ Mr. REMNANTNot round here, Sir.
§ Earl WINTERTONIt is a mistake having an Opposition at all.