HC Deb 02 May 1853 vol 126 cc909-10
MR. T. BARING

said, he wished to ask the right hon. Baronet the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any or what measures had been adoped by Her Majesty's Government to protect British commerce against piratical proceedings on the coast of Borneo?

Sir JAMES GRAHAM

said, representations had been made to Her Majesty's Government with respect to certain proceedings, said to be piratical, on the coast of Borneo, and in consequence of those representations the admiral commanding on he East India station had been instructed that if similar representations were made to him, he must exercise his discretion with reference to taking naval precautions for the dispersion of such pirates; at the same time care was to be taken that evidence of piracy was first adduced before force was used; and intimation was made that it was not the policy of Her Majesty's Government to seek any acquisition of territory on the mainland of Borneo.