HC Deb 23 May 1887 vol 315 cc871-2
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL&c.) (Kirkcaldy,

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the attack by the Governors of British North Borneo on the natives of Darvel Bay, in June last, was reported by the authorities of the North Borneo Company to the Secretary of State, and was approved by him, especially the burning of villages, and destruction of paddy, ? whether the authorities of the North Borneo Company have power to requisition Her Majesty's Navy to assist them in wars in which they may engage without the previous consent of Her Majesty's Government; and, whether there is any systematic control over the Political and Military operations of the North Borneo and Royal Niger Companies, such as was exercised by the Board of Control over the East India Company?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N. E.)

The proceedings of the British North Borneo Company authorities in Darvel Bay last June were reported to Her Majesty's Government and approved by them, but not "especially the burning of villages and destruction of paddy, &c." I presume that the etcetera refers to the arms and war canoes. A Report of the proceedings was presented to Parliament and printed on April 29. Her Majesty's naval officers are directed to give aid to the Company in cases of emergency without referring to the Admiralty for orders. On the occasion in question prompt action was considered to be justified. The circumstances were that— A lawless tribe, several thousands in number, notorious for their acts of kidnapping, piracy, and slave-dealing, attacked a settlement of the British North Borneo Company, which they kept in a state of siege and terror. They refused to parley, and proceeded to attack Her Majesty's ships. Commander Hope's prompt action will probably result in the cessation of piracy and kidnapping in those waters. There is a systematic control over the political and military operations of the North Borneo and Royal Niger Companies; but these are not yet of such dimensions as to require a separate Department of Her Majesty's Government.