§ 6. Lieut.-Colonel Moore - Brabazonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information concerning 'the imprisonment of the British captain of the British steamer "Vanduara," in Turkey, as a result of the collision of his vessel with a Turkish motor-boat, resulting in the loss of six lives; and whether, having regard to the fact that a committee of experts has found that the captain was in no way to blame for the collision, a protest will be made to the Turkish Government against the detention of this British master mariner as though he had acted criminally?
§ Viscount CranborneThis case is being carefully watched by His Majesty's Ambassador at Angora and His Majesty's Consul-General at Istanbul. I have no information as to the finding of any committee of experts. Under Turkish law the principals in an accident involving death are liable to be detained until the judicial investigation into the case is concluded. According to my information, the conditions of Captain Farquhar's detention are good, and, although the investigation has not yet been completed, His Majesty's Government are doing what they properly can to ensure that it is expedited. His Majesty's Government will continue to keep the matter under close review.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonCan my Noble Friend assure the House that this officer is being treated in no way worse than the Turkish Government would treat one of their own nationals?
§ Viscount CranborneI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that he is being treated under good conditions. He is confined in the Governor's private rooms, and he gets his meals from outside.