HC Deb 22 August 1804 vol 29 cc279-80
MR. LAWRENCE

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of his statement a short time ago to the effect that the delay in settling terms of compensation with the British East Africa Company had been due to the difference between the Government and the Company as to what the amount should be, he would state what terms had been proposed by Her Majesty's Government and declined by the Company; whether the Government gave any opinion on the terms offered by the Company on June 23, 1893, and withdrawn on May 8, 1894; and, if no opinion had been expressed by the Government on this proposal, then on what proposal had the difference of opinion arisen which had been alleged by him in the House; and whether the Government had any proposals to make to the Company, and by whom the amount of compensation was to be finally determined?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, Berwick

I have nothing to add to what I previously stated in debate on this question. The original hope of the Government was that the Company would negotiate on the subject of the concession. The Company were anxious that in any negotiations the claim in regard to the Charter should be included; but the Government, unfortunately, had reason to suppose that the first estimate of the Company's claim in regard to the Charter was so large that it would be impossible for the Government to make, in respect to it, any proposal which would have any chance of being accepted by the Company.

MR. LAWRENCE

said, that the hon. Gentleman had not really answered the question in any accurate sense, though it had been brought under the notice of the Foreign Office a week ago. He wished to know when he would get a categorical answer to the question?

SIR E. GREY

A word of personal explanation. I was shown this question the other day by the hon. Member; but I have not got verbal memory enough to be able to carry its terms in my mind. I did not see it on the Paper till 2 o'clock this morning, and no time was lost in presenting the question to the other authorities who must be consulted in the matter. I have done my best to get the hon. Gentleman the information. I hope to receive information in the course of to—day, and, so far as a more categorical answer can be expected, it shall be given on Friday.