§ 17. Lieut.-Colonel Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why British owned ships have been taken into Algeciras and detained there by the Spanish authorities; and what action he has taken.
Mr. McNeilFour British-registered vessels have recently been detained by Spanish authorities in the neighbourhood of Algeciras on varying technical grounds and, I understand, on suspicion of smuggling. Inquiries have been made by His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires with a view to the immediate release of the vessels and their cargoes. Two of the vessels have already been released, while the cases of the remaining two are stillsub judice in the Spanish courts. The hon. and gallant Member can rest assured that the interests of the British subjects concerned are being carefully watched.