§ MR. MARUM (Kilkenny, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention had been called to the allegation that arms and ammunition are being imported and landed in large quantities on the West Coast of Africa by English consignors; and whether International or Colonial relations enable interference, or whether he will appoint additional Vice Consuls on that line of coast?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONThe hon. Member in his first notice of this question mentioned the East Coast of Africa, but I understand now that he only refers to the West Coast. I do not know if the allegation he notices refers to any particular part of that coast. I believe that some newspaper has stated that arms and ammunition are being imported into Liberia and conveyed across the Continent to the Arabs on the East Coast. It is very improbable. It has more than once been proposed that the importation of arms on the West Coast should be prevented by International agreement, but no arrangement has been found possible. No conceivable addition to Consular establishments could accomplish this purpose.