HC Deb 10 December 1908 vol 198 cc745-6
MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps are being taken to provide for the delimitation of the frontier between British and German New Guinea; and, if so, whether he is in a position to make any statement on the subject.

SIR EDWARD GREY

A Joint Commission has been appointed by His Majesty's Government and the German Government for the delimitation of the boundary between Papua and German New Guinea. The German Commissioner, Captain Forster, is expected to arrive in the boundary territory at the end of this month, while the British Commissioner, Mr. Sabine, Chief Government Surveyor of Papua, is believed to be already on the spot.

MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON

Will these Commissioners have plenary powers or only report to their respective Governments?

SIR EDWARD GREY

I cannot say off-hand what their powers will be.

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