HC Deb 21 June 1881 vol 262 cc986-8
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, by Article II. of the General Convention between the Governments of Great Britain and Tunis, signed on the 19th of July 1875, there occurs the following stipulation:— Every mark of honour and respect shall at all times be paid, and every privilege and immunity allowed, to Her Majesty's Agent and Consul General accredited to His Highness the Bey which is paid or allowed to the Representative of any other Nation whotsoever; and, whether, under this stipulation, Her Majesty's Agent and Consul General at Tunis is entitled to and enjoys all the marks of honour and respect and every privilege and immunity paid or allowed to the Representative of France in that Regency?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Yes; I answer the Question in the affirmative.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I wish to ask the hon. Baronet, whether he wishes the House to understand that at the present moment Her Majesty's Agent and Consul General at Tunis has the same right of access to the Bey as M. Roustan?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

I stated the other day that we have no right of access to the Bey by Treaty. We have no reason to believe from anything which has yet taken place that the stipulation L contained in the Article on which the noble Lord's Question is based has affected the privileges and immunities of Her Majesty's Agent and Consul General. Those privileges and immunities are as follows:—Immunity from criminal and civil jurisdiction; immunity of house and goods; freedom from import duties; liberty of worship; power over suite; privilege to employ Tunisians as dragomans, who are to be protected. These are the privileges and immunities of Oriental countries.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Has M. Roustan a right of access to the Bey whenever he wishes?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

M. Roustan has been appointed Foreign Minister to the Bey of Tunis, and we have nothing to do with his rights in that capacity. As the Representative of France, he has no more rights than the Representative of any other Power.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

How is it possible to bisect the individuality of M. Roustan? When is he to be looked upon as the Foreign Minister to the Bey, and when as the Representative of France?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

I have already stated that the difficulties which might possibly arise out of the double nature of the functions of M. Roustan are engaging the attention of Her Majesty's Government.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

As I understand the hon. Member for Burnley intends to withdraw his Motion on the subject of the Anglo-Turkish Convention which stands for Friday night, I beg to say that I will, on that occasion, draw attention to the affairs of Tunis, and move a Resolution.

MR. RYLANDS

I beg to say that I have not intimated my intention of withdrawing my Motion which stands for Friday night.