HC Deb 18 February 1897 vol 46 cc717-8
MR. H. D. GREENE (Shrewsbury)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the documents and information and correspondence in the possession of Her Majesty's Government, with reference to the execution of Mr. Stokes and the confiscation of his property, and the proceedings in Boma and Brussels, which were promised on the 10th August, will be circulated; whether the Congo Government has complied with the request of Her Majesty's Government to restore the property of Mr. Stokes, or has refused to comply; and whether Her Majesty's Government will insist on their requirements in relation thereto?

MR. CURZON

The Papers relating to the Stokes case have been delayed in order that they may include the result of the negotiations with the Congo Government concerning Mr. Stokes's property. These have now been completed, and have resulted in an offer from the Congo Government to hand over the sum of 147,550 francs as representing the total value of all the goods belonging to the estate. This offer has been accepted by Her Majesty's Government, and the Papers will be circulated as soon as possible.