§ 20. Mr. Hydeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to obtain adequate financial compensation from the Government of Mexico for the murder of Mr. John Kealty, a British subject, near Tehuacan, on 15th April, 1955.
§ Mr. TurtonHer Majesty's Ambassador in Mexico City has requested the Mexican Ministry for Foreign Affairs to make a payment on compassionate grounds to the parents of Mr. John Kealty. The Mexican Government have recently promised to examine this request with care, but have not yet communicated their views to the Embassy.
§ Mr. HydeIs my right hon. Friend aware that the preliminary judicial investigation in Mexico revealed that this man was murdered by the local village policeman and, plainly, some compensation is payable to his parents, who are constituents of mine? They are not looking for any punitive sum, but for a sufficient sum to defray the cost of the return of his remains to his home in Northern Ireland. Can my right hon. Friend say why Kealty's personal effects, which were recovered by Her Majesty's Consul in Mexico City a month after the murder, have not yet been sent to Kealty's parents, in spite of repeated requests?
§ Mr. TurtonIn reply to the first part of the question, Her Majesty's Ambassador has brought those facts to the attention of the Mexican Government. On the second part of the question, the Embassy will ship Mr. Kealty's effects to his parents as soon as possible, but direct sea communications from Mexico are not very frequent.