HC Deb 03 July 1890 vol 346 cc687-9
SIR JOSEPH PEASE (Durham, Barnard Castle)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-German agreement provides that the German frontier in the latitude of Lake Ngami and up as far as the 18th degree of South latitude shall coincide with the 21st degree of East longitude, as named in the Despatch of 14th June from Lord Salisbury to Sir E. Malet, or whether it extends as far as to the Victoria Falls on the Zambesi River, as represented on the map in the tea room of the House, to which Members have been referred?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

The Despatch referred to did not describe the final arrangement, which is correctly shown on the map in the tea room of the House.

MR. BRYCE

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State when the full text of the Agreement relating to African affairs and Heligoland, signed at Berlin on Tuesday, 1st of July, by Sir E. Malet and Sir P. Anderson, on behalf of Her Majesty, will be laid before the House; and when the other Papers relating to the negotiations and Agreement with Germany which have been promised will be presented?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

Papers relating to this matter will be laid upon the Table as soon as possible.

MR. BUCHANAN) (Edinburgh, W.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-German Agreement has bean signed; and, if so, when copies of the Agreement will be in the hands of Members; and when the Bill for the cession of Heligoland will be introduced? The right hon. Gentleman has already answered part of the question, but I hope he will be able to answer the last paragraph.

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

The Agreement has been signed and certain Papers relating to it will be given with it. I believe that the Bill in regard to Heligoland will be introduced in the House of Lords, so, of course, it will not reach us immediately.

MR. WADDY

Are Agreements to be made between the German Empire and our own which will be binding on the House before such Agreements have been laid on the Table?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

The Agreement in question was made in accordance with Constitutional usage, and will be laid before Parliament accordingly.

MR. MUNRO FERGUSON (Leith)

Will the right hon. Gentleman have a spare sheet put in the map showing the boundary of Damaraland under the German Protectorate before the Anglo-German Agreement?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

I am afraid that the information desired by my hon. Friend cannot be given. The boundary of Damaraland to the North had not been previously fixed, and any line would be quite imaginary.

MR. SUMMERS

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether any communication shave taken place between the Home Government on the one hand, I and the High Commissioner for South Africa and the Government of the Cape Colony on the other, with reference to the proposed Anglo-German Agreement; and, if so, whether he will state to the House what the nature of these communications has been?

*MR. W. H. SMITH

Various communications have been received from the High Commissioner expressing a hope that Lake Ngami and district would be preserved to this country. His wishes are carried out by the Anglo-German Agreement. Some communications have also passed with the Cape Government, but of a confidential character, the effect of which it would not be desirable to state, as negotiations are going on.