§ MR. KNOX (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Order in Council of 9th May, 1891, related to Matabeleland, was made under the Foreign Jurisdiction Act and under the powers possessed by the Queen at Common Law over British subjects in uncivilised or semi-civilised countries outside Her dominions; whether it authorises the exercise of any jurisdiction over other than British subjects acquired otherwise than by concessions from their lawful rulers; whether there is any part of Africa, not a British possession, to which Orders in Council under the Foreign Jurisdiction Act do not apply; and whether the Order of 9th May, 1891, can be made the means of exercising sovereignty over the Matabele?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)The Order in Council of the 9th of May, 1891, was made under the authority of the Foreign Jurisdiction Act. The Foreign Jurisdiction Act authorises the exercise of jurisdiction over other than British subjects, and it contemplates the acquisition of jurisdiction, not only by Treaty and grant, but by usage and sufferance. As regards the third question, there are many parts of Africa, not British possessions, to which Orders in Council under the Foreign Jurisdiction Act do not apply. With regard to the last question, as I pointed out the other day, if it is decided to exercise active jurisdiction over Matabeleland proper, the Order in Council and the Charter provide the necessary machinery.