§ 6. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to the British ex-officers and naval ratings who joined the Colombian navy on a two-years contract; whether any of them have now returned to this country, and the reason for this; whether the undertakings given to the British Government by the Colombian Government have in all respects been kept; and what action he proposes to take, in view of complaints of misrepresentation, bad food, loss of kit, and irregular pay?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe present position is that British ex-naval officers and men continue to be employed by the Colombian Government. Of the 242 ratings who were engaged about 30 have, I understand, returned to this country, the majority for personal reasons or reasons of health, but a few on being discharged as undesirable. As has previously been explained to the hon. Member, these men were engaged direct by the Colombian Government; the only undertaking given by the latter to His Majesty's Government was to the effect that the men would not be called upon to undertake any duties contrary to their obligations as British subjects. This undertaking has been fully complied with. The ratings still in Colombia are, according to may information, entirely satisfied with their conditions, and consider that the complaints which have been made by certain of those who have returned are without justification. Ratings who are not satisfied are at complete liberty to withdraw after giving notice, and I do not propose to take any action in this matter.
§ Mr. MANDERIs my right hon. Friend aware that a number of these men returned at the earliest possible moment owing to grave dissatisfaction with the conditions which they found were quite contrary to the undertakings 1009 given; that, although a promise was made that they would be called upon to take part in no fighting, on one occasion, after the ship left Trinidad, it was cleared for action in order to meet an anticipated attack from the Peruvian navy; that they have never been asked to train any Colombian sailors and that there are none ready for training; and that in other respects the gravest dissatisfaction exists?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have seen the papers in this matter, and I am not aware of the matters which the hon. Member asserts are facts. I know that some complaints were made by some of the returned men, but they have been repudiated by the officers and men who are remaining.
§ Mr. MANDERWill my right hon. Friend allow me to bring some facts to his notice?
§ Sir J. SIMONWith the greatest pleasure.