HC Deb 21 March 1892 vol 2 cc1322-3
MR. MAC INNES (Northumberland, Hexham)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the increase of drinking among the natives in the coast towns of Morocco, arising, as it is alleged, from the absence of almost all restriction and regulation of the liquor traffic; whether it is the fact that the native authorities have no power to interfere, as the countrymen of any of the 14 countries represented in Tangier have only to apply to their respective Consuls to obtain permisson to sell liquor at all hours; and whether Her Majesty's Government would look favourably on proposals which have been made to establish a mixed consular tribunal, to replace the present independent and often conflicting authority of the 14 flags represented at Tangier?

MR. J. W. LOWTHER

No reports of the character mentioned in the first paragraph have reached the Foreign Office from Morocco. Under the Conventions of 1863 and of 1880 the subjects and citizens of the Powers, who were parties to the latter, enjoy the right of protection in Morocco, and the Moorish authorities might find some difficulty in interfering with the sale of spirituous liquors by such protected persons. Under the Order in Council of 28th November, 1889, power is given to the Consul General to make regulations for certain purposes. The question of the inclusion in such regulations of a power to limit and control the sale of spirituous liquors is now under consideration. Her Majesty's Minister at Tangier has been instructed to bear in mind the question of the establishment of mixed tribunals in Morocco and is giving his attention to the matter.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)

Has Her Majesty's Minister been instructed to interview the Sultan on the subject?

MR. J. W. LOWTHER

I do not think that any special instructions have been given to bring this to the notice of the Sultan. Her Majesty's Minister is considering the possibility of establishing mixed tribunals, and if he can see his way to such establishment he will no doubt bring the matter to His Majesty's attention.