§ 6. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the death in the United States of America of Miss Violet Sharpe, a British subject; and whether he will make representations to the United States Government requesting that an inquiry should be held into the circumstances of this death and the treatment to which the deceased had been subjected by the New Jersey police?
§ Mr. EDENI have seen various Press reports about this case, but am not in possession of any information on which representations to the United States Government could properly be based. I may add that I have asked His Majesty's Consul-General at New York to furnish a report.
§ Mr. COCKSWill the hon. Gentleman do his best to expedite this inquiry in view of the feeling in both countries that this poor girl has been bullied to death to cover the incompetence of the police; and will he ask the Consul-General to make special inquiry into the allegations that the third degree method was applied to this British subject?
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTCan the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any authority or foundation for this allegation, apart from statements in the extreme sections of the Press?
§ Mr. EDENAs I have said, I certainly have no information on which representations could be made, and I think it would be very much wiser to wait for a report.
§ Mr. COCKSWill the hon. Gentleman inform the House when he receives this report, or shall I put down a question next week?