§ Sir ROBERT HAMILTON(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state what action the Government is taking with the Portuguese Government with reference to the long delay in the trial of Mr. Brewer, the conditions of his incarceration while awaiting trial, and the severity of the sentence passed upon him by the court at Lobito?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)His Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon, acting on instructions from His Majesty's Government, addressed strong representations to the 51 Portuguese Government on the 3rd instant against Mr. Brewer's long detention prior to trial and the severity of the sentence. The Portuguese Government promised an immediate investigation by telegraph. As Mr. Brewer, after the first few days following his arrest, was detained in the local hospital where he enjoyed considerable freedom, there is no cause for complaint in regard to the conditions of his incarceration.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of laying the correspondence on the Table of the House?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI require notice of that question.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether 3rd November was the first date on which His Majesty's Government made representations to Lisbon, seeing that this man has been detained for a year?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThat is so. The hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) has put a question on the Paper for Monday on that particular point, and I propose then to answer it.