HC Deb 20 May 1892 vol 4 cc1437-8
MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he could see his way to appoint a resident Inspector in each of the territories of the great Chartered Companies in Africa; if an Annual Report to Parliament from the Crown official could be furnished; if an assigned date for the termination of their privileges could be made, in order to open Parliamentary inspection and consideration; if he contemplates imposing any tribute to the Imperial Exchequer on these companies, and if there is any reason for delegating the Imperial authority in Africa to these companies, entirely composed of unofficial persons?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. J. W. LOWTHER,) Cumberland, Penrith

I am afraid I am not able to give the hon. Member a reply to his question. It only appeared this morning, and it raises a great many new points that require very full consideration before any useful answer could be given.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

When will it be convenient to the hon. Gentleman for me to repeat the question?

MR. J. W. LOWTHER

If the hon. Member will put it down for Monday, I hope then to be able to give him an answer. At the same time, though, I ought to warn the hon. Member that it seems to me that the question raises points of a very debatable character difficult to be dealt with within the limits of a reply to a question; but I will do my best to give the hon. Gentleman an answer that will satisfy him.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

I will put down the question for Monday. Upon one point, perhaps, the hon. Gentleman may be able to give me an answer now. I think it is a fact that the Charter of the Niger Company provides that the Secretary of State shall examine the accounts of the Company. Has this been done, and could the Secretary of State lay these accounts or any information on the Table of the House?

MR. J. W. LOWTHER

I think the question is one I have already answered in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool (Mr. W. H. Cross). I do not carry in my memory the date of the answer, but if the hon. Gentleman will kindly refer to Hansard, I think he will find a reply to the question he has just put.