§ MR. J. A. PEASETo ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the facts related by Mr. A. E. Scrivener, in the West African Mail of 8th January, recording atrocities committed upon natives in the Congo State; whether the British Consul, who has recently returned from the interior, has reported to the Government; if so, to what effect; and what steps the Government have already undertaken, or are intending to take, to enforce the carrying out of the declaration made by the Brussels Act in 1860, intimating the 480 firm intention of the Government to effectually protect the aboriginal population, and insuring for them the benefit of peace and civilisation.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Lyttellon.) The attention of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has been drawn to the article alluded to. The Report of His Majesty's Consul for the Congo will shortly be presented to Parliament. The circular addressed by His Majesty's Government to the Powers in regard to the administration of the Congo State has already been published: other Papers on the subject will be laid at the same time as Mr. Casement's Report.