§ MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the communication to the Foreign Office from the Congo Reform Association, dated 5th February, in regard to the ill-treatment of British coloured subjects and violation of the clauses of the Brussels Act in regard to the importation of firearms in the Upper Welle district (north-eastern region of the Congo State); and, if so, what steps His Majesty's Government are taking in regard to the matter.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. RUNCIMAN,for Sir EDWARD GREY) Dewsbury;The allegations in regard to the ill-treatment of British coloured subjects in the Congo State were contained in a pr écis of a petition stated to have been delivered to the Sub-Commissioner of the Nile Province in the presence of the gentleman who brought the matter to the notice of the Congo Reform Association. My right hon. friend referred the matter to the Colonial Office, and a report has been called for from the local authorities, With regard to the reported importation of firearms into the north-eastern portion of the Congo State it is considered that a favourable opportunity of discussing the whole question of the importation of arms and ammunition into Africa will be afforded at the Arms Conference which is to meet next spring at Brussels.