§ MR. W. J. CORBETasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the inquiry which he promised in last July into the alleged fraudulent claims preferred by English subjects against natives of Morocco has been held, and with what result?
LORD EDMOND EITZMAURICEInquiry has been made into the alleged abuses in connection with the claims of British subjects against natives of Morocco and the misconduct of a British official. These charges have been proved to be in some instances well founded, and the inquiry has led to the dismissal of the official implicated. El Arbi ben Abdulaziz has been released, and Her Majesty's Minister has been instructed to insist on a searching scrutiny of the claims of British subjects before any money is paid to the claimants. The attention of Her Majesty's Minister had already been called to the alleged state of the Moorish prison at Dar al Baida, in which the debtors were confined, and the alleged cruel treatment of the prisoners detained therein. He has caused a strong remonstrance to be addressed to the Governor, who, however, denied the truth of the allegations. The matter, however, will not be allowed to drop.
§ MR. W. J. CORBETinquired whether there were any Papers which the noble Lord could lay on the Table?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI cannot undertake to present the Papers without consulting the Secretary of State.