HC Deb 24 February 1881 vol 258 cc1648-9
SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any information has been received by Her Majesty's Government confirming are port that M. Rousten, the French Diplomatic Agent at Tunis, has proposed or suggested to the Bey the establishment of a French Protectorate over that Regency; and, if so, whether any communications have passed on the subject between Her Majesty's Government and that of France? The hon. Baronet also asked, Whether the Foreign Office is in possession of affidavits by the parties assaulted at Enfida, corroborated by others, to the effect that they were assaulted and ejected by the officers of the French Consulate General; whether these affidavits, and any reports from Her Majesty's Consul General at Tunis on the subject, can be laid upon the Table; whether, if such documents confirm the version that the assault was committed by the French Consular officers, Her Majesty's Government will make a representation on the subject to the Government of France; and, whether the affidavits and the report of the Consul General can be laid upon the Table?

MR. MONTAGUE GUEST

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he was aware that a telegram had been received in London, from the Correspondent of The Standard at Tunis, who stated that the Bey had asked him to make it known that he did not desire the protection of one State more than another, but wished to maintain friendly relations with all?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

With regard to the Question that has just been put to me by my hon. Friend, of course the proper mode of communicating with Her Majesty's Government is to communicate directly. The Bey has certainly not clone so at present; and I can give no further information upon the subject of the telegram which appears in The Standard of this morning. In reply to the first of the other Questions, considering the diplomatic experience of my hon. Friend, I think that he will hardly expect that I should answer his Questions, which refer to matters which are still pending, in much detail. We have heard of a conversation between the Bey of Tunis and M. Rousten; but there is no Correspondence with regard to it which can be laid before the House. In reply to the second Question of my hon. Friend, Her Majesty's Government are in possession of the documents referred to. I have already stated that the French Government have denied that the officials of the Gonsulate took part in any assault. The Correspondence upon the subject will be laid before the House; but cannot, of course, be placed in its possession at the present stage of the question.