§ MR. SETON-KARR (St. Helens)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any, and, if so, what further steps have recently been taken by His Majesty's Government, either with or without the co-operation of 504 other Powers, to further protect large game in those parts of Africa within the spheres of British influence; in particular, what big-game reserves are now established in South, Central, and Eastern Africa, and by what means is the sanctity of such preserves enforced; also whether a licence is now required to kill big game in any parts of British Africa, and, if so, under what restrictions and conditions such licences are issued.
§ LORD CRANBORNERegulations for the preservation of large game in the British Protectorates in Africa administered by the Foreign Office have for some time been in force, The present regulations are modelled on the conclusions of the International Conference which met in London in May 1899 and have been published in the several Protectorates. Copies are obtainable at the Foreign Office, and I shall be glad to supply one to my hon. friend. They fix certain reserves within which no shooting is allowed, and establish limitations of the amount of game which may be shot elsewhere. These regulations are protected by penalties. In East Africa an officer entitled a Game Ranger has been appointed, whose duty it is to see that the Regulations are enforced. Any one visiting the Protectorates for the purposes of sport is required to pay for a licence; in East Africa and Uganda £50, in Somaliland £33, and in British Central Africa £25. There are regulations for the protection of game in South Africa and British West Africa, but questions as to these regions should be addressed to the Colonial Office.