§ SIR JOHN SWINBURNE (Staffordshire, Lichfield)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will immediately communicate by cable with Her Majesty's Consul at Mozambique, and ascertain whether it is the case that 1012 arms and ammunition are being landed at Mozambique, or in the Colony of Mozambique, in considerable quantities, with the permission or connivance of the Portuguese Authorities at that place?
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.Our information is that the Portuguese Authorities have been using their best endeavours to carry out the prohibition of the import of arms and ammunition declared by their Government, and have generally been successful in doing so. If such articles should nevertheless he landed within the knowledge of Her Majesty's Consul he will, of course, report the matter to Her Majesty's Government. If Her Majesty's Government had reason to believe that the Portuguese Government are not carrying out their engagement to the other Powers interested, inquiries would be addressed to them.
§ SIR J. SWINBURNEHas the right hon. Gentleman called the attention of Her Majesty's Consul at Mozambique to the rumours which are rife in regard to the importation of arms and ammunition?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONIf communications were addressed to Her Majesty's Representatives in consequence of every newspaper rumour it would cause a great deal of inconvenience and strengthen idle reports. Her Majesty's Consuls would naturally report any such facts without requiring fresh instructions.
§ SIR J. SWINBURNEIs the Consul referred to the Vice Consul, and is that gentleman still a free agent? Has he not been sent to prison at the instance at the Portuguese Authorities?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONI should like to have notice of that question. The Vice Consul referred to is simply a trading consul acting under the Consul at Mozambique.