HL Deb 22 April 1937 vol 104 cc1075-6

LORD NEWTON, in whose name stood the following Notice on the Paper: To ask if His Majesty's Government have received any information regarding the death of Mr. Harrison, the late British Vice-Consul at Orizaba, Mexico, who, it is stated, was shot recently during a disturbance in that city, said: My Lords, since I put this Question upon the Paper I have received private information that the report is unfounded, and I sincerely hope that that information is correct. I think, however, that an official statement is desirable, if only in order that the relatives and friends may ascertain what the real facts are. Perhaps I shall not be considered irrelevant if I state that this gentleman, Mr. Harrison, is very highly respected in the City of Orizaba and that very grave industrial disorders are not infrequent in that City.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF PLYMOUTH)

My Lords, I am glad to be able to confirm what the noble Lord has already told the House—namely, that there is no foundation for the report that Mr. Harrison has been shot. The facts, as far as we know them, are merely these: that, as a result of a dispute on April 14 between two labour syndicates in Mr. Harrison's textile mill, three men were killed and six were wounded, but that this c id not involve Mr. Harrison in any way.