Sir SEYMOUR KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Hull trawler "Onward Ho" was arrested by the Russian gunboat "Baku," on Friday evening 8th July, when fishing at a distance of forty-three miles from the nearest point of Russian land; whether he caused the Hull fishing industry to be informed, on 30th April, 1906, that His Majesty's Government do not recognise any claims on the part of Russia to exercise jurisdiction over British vessels beyond the three-mile limit; whether the "Onward Ho" was on 8th July seven 1056W miles to the north of a line drawn from three miles to the north of Kanin Cape to Sviatoi Cape, being in latitude 68.33 longitude 41.22, and there being no dispute as to her position; and whether he will insist on the immediate release of the trawler and obtain full compensation for her illegal detention?
§ Sir. E. GREYInformation has been given me to the effect stated in the first and third parts of the question. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative. In accordance with telegraphic instructions His Majesty's Embassy at St. Petersburg have urged the Russian 1057W Government to release the vessel. The master and crew are free. The question of applying for compensation is under consideration pending full inquiry into the facts.