HC Deb 08 April 1878 vol 239 c857
SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true, as stated in "The London and China Telegraph" of April 1st, that an English Company, represented by the Baron de Overbeck, has obtained from the Sultans of Borneo and Sulu a large cession of territory in their respective Dominions; whether the cession in Sulu was made in the presence of the Governor of Labuan and Consul General for Borneo; and, whether a Vice Consul in Her Majesty's Service has been appointed resident of the Company in the ceded district?

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

Sir, I believe that the facts stated in the hon. Baronet's Question are substantially correct. They are now under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, and it has not yet been decided whether the proceedings are such as can properly be sanctioned.