HC Deb 01 June 1894 vol 25 cc171-3
SIR C. W. DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the offer of the strip from Lake Tanganyika to Lake Albert Edward was first made to this country by the Congo State; whether by a Despatch of August, 1892, Egypt reserved her rights over the Equatorial Province; and if it is true that Germany has lodged a protest against the Agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the King of the Belgians as representing the Congo State?

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

It is understood that the question of a lease of this strip formed part of the arrangement with the late Sir William Mackinnon, but, as stated in the Despatch to Mr. Hardinge contained in the Papers recently laid (Africa, No. 4, 1894), that arrangement was not officially communicated to nor sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government. The question was not raised again before the negotiations which preceded the Agreement of May 12. Egypt has reserved her rights over the Equatorial Province. The French Ambassador has addressed a Note stating that France makes full reserves in respect of the Agreement. No communication has been made to us by the German Government.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

May I ask whether Her Majesty's Government recognises de facto or de jure the sovereignty of Egypt over the Equatorial Province?

SIR E. GREY

In the Agreement made we have specially reserved any rights of that kind.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Does Her Majesty's Government recognise those rights? Is it not the fact that by the desire of Her Majesty's Government Egypt was called upon to give up all sovereignty there?

SIR E. GREY

That is the very reason why there has been a special provision made preserving those rights from any prejudice under the present Agreement.

*SIR C. W. DILKE

Am I to understand that no protest made elsewhere has been communicated to Her Majesty's Government?

SIR E. GREY

It would be most irregular for me to make any statement with regard to a communication made by one Power to another.

SIR C. W. DILKE

Even if communicated to Her Majesty's Government?

SIR E. GREY

Certainly, unless the Government which originally made it addressed itself to us.

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