§ 30. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a reply to the representations made by His Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon to the Portuguese Government, as long ago as January last, regarding the arrest, on the charge of theft of £l, of Mr. A. J. Brewer, who was detained for nine months while awaiting trial in Portuguese West Africa and subsequently sentenced to 300 days' imprisonment and £18 fine or another 90 days in prison; and if he is now in a position to make a statement about this case?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe Portuguese Government replied on 25th April to the original representations made to them. The further representations of 20th June, to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member on the 8th instant, were made as a result of that reply which I regret to say was unsatisfactory. Pending the receipt of a reply from the Portuguese Government to the representations of 20th June already referred to it would be inopportune for me to make any full statement about the case.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAAre we to assume that His Majesty's Government are insisting on proper redress being made to Mr. Brewer?
Mr. HENDERSONI have intimated that the first reply is unsatisfactory, and the fact that we are making further efforts is an indication that we are doing what the hon. Member desires.