Captain Cazaletasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information as regards the escort of the Spanish steamer "Cabo Corona" by His Majesty's Ship "Foxhound"; and whether it is the policy for His Majesty's ships to give protection to merchant vessels other than British?
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Mr. CooperThe Spanish Steamship "Cabo Corona" was afforded British naval protection whilst conveying refugees from Bilbao to France on the 22nd and 23rd of May last, and whilst returning to Bilbao a few days later. As regards the policy of protecting foreign merchant ships engaged on this duty, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 3rd May to the hon. Member for the combined English Universities (Mr. Harvey) and to the statement made by my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 24th May.