HC Deb 25 July 1893 vol 15 cc467-8
SIR J. LENG (Dundee)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that British subjects are in possession of valuable rights and concessions extending over au area of 40 square miles in the Provinces of Chantabeen and Korat, and also in Battambong, in Siam, for the working of sapphires and rubies; whether those Provinces are in the Siamese territory now being claimed by France; and whether, in the event of their annexation by France, care will be taken to guard the interests of British subjects in their mining rights?

* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, Berwick

Her Majesty's Government believe that such concessions have been granted to British subjects and other foreigners in the districts named. It will be seen from the terms of the French ultimatum that the Provinces of Chautabeen, Korat, and Battambong, all of which lie to the west of the Mekong, are not claimed by France.