§ Sir THOMAS ESMONDEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to state what steps have been taken with reference to the claim of Mr. W. G. Boshells against the Government of the Republic of Colombia, now pending for some ten years; whether there is any likelihood of a speedy settlement of the matter; if he is aware that Mr. Boshells son is now serving in the British Army; and if the Foreign Office will take special care that Mr. Boshells' interests do not suffer owing to the absence of his representative in Europe at the front?
Mr. ROBERTSActing under instructions from home, His Majesty's representative at Bogotá is in constant communication with the Colombian Government with a view to reaching a settlement satisfactory to both parties, but I cannot say if a speedy settlement is likely. The reply to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government will continue to do what they can in Mr. Boshells' interests.