§ MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign affairs whether British subjects have acquired land in the town of Tangier or within a radius of ten kilometres of it since the signing of the Algeciras Convention; whether he has any official information to show that purchase of property in that district has lately become impossible owing to quarrels between local officials; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe situation as regards the acquisition of land in Morocco is not, so far, affected by the Algeciras Act, which does not come into operation until after its ratification by all the signatory Powers. His Majesty's Government have received no recent reports or complaints either from his Majesty's Legation or from any British subjects in Morocco in regard to difficulties in the way of the acquisition of land in the town and district of Tangier, and they do not propose to take any steps in the matter.