§ 51. Captain Ryderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a British subject, named Peter Ridgwell, second officer of the s.s. "Charles Dickens," has now been in Italy for seven months awaiting trial for manslaughter; and whether he will express to the Italian authorities the concern that is felt in this country at the prolonged delays in bringing this case to trial.
§ Mr. EdenAs explained in my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary's reply of 26th November, a number of unfortunate incidents have delayed the trial of Mr. Ridgwell by an Italian court.
72WThe case of this British subject has been a matter of continuous concern to the Foreign Office and on 25th January His Majesty's Embassy at Rome addressed a Note to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urging them to use their good offices to the end that Mr. Ridgwell should be tried at the earliest possible date. I am glad to be able to inform my hon. and gallant Friend that the Italian authorities have now stated that the trial is to open on 11th March.