§ MR. EMMOTT (Oldham)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statement of His Majesty's Commissioner for British Central Africa that Herr Rabinek was arrested on a British steamer in British waters, he will state what steps they are taking in the matter; and whether, in view of the nature of the offence for which it is stated Herr Rabinek was sentenced, he can state whether the territories of the Congo Free State contiguous to British Central Africa are open to the commercial enterprise of European merchants and native traders established in British territory, according to the stipulations of the Berlin Act.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord CRANBORNE,) RochesterHis Majesty's Government are considering what action, if any, it may be advisable for them to take in connection with the arrest of Herr Rabinek. The whole question, however, of freedom of trade within the limits of the Congo State will form part of the communication which is to be made to the signatories of the Berlin Act in accordance with the undertaking given by His Majesty's Government in the House on the 20th ultimo.