§ MR. F. S. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that Mr. Wilkinson defied the Malagasy Government by returning from Mauritius to Antananarivo; and, if so, whether the Foreign Office has instructed the British Consul to support the Malagasy authorities in this matter or otherwise?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)Mr. Wilkinson's expulsion was held by the Supreme Court of Mauritius not to have been justified by the terms of the Treaty between Great Britain and Madagascar. In consequence of this decision, which is binding on the British Consular officers, he returned to Madagascar. The British Consul has supported the Malagasy Authorities throughout these proceedings. Since the return of Wilkinson he has been charged with a crime more grave than that for which he was before expelled, on conviction of which he 1559 would be liable to expulsion under the Treaty.