HC Deb 03 February 1908 vol 183 cc517-8
MR. ALDEN (Middlesex, Tottenham)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any representations whatever have been made to the Belgian Government with regard to the proposed annexation of the Congo Free State; and, if so, whether he can inform the House as to the attitude taken up by His Majesty's Government.

MR. RUNCIMAN

The Belgian Parliament having not yet decided what terms as regards the Congo Free State shall be submitted as to the transfer of the State, the time has not yet come, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, for any formal representations as to the conditions which they consider should prevail in the Congo State after the transfer has been made. Both the Belgian and the Congolese Governments are, however, well aware of the views held by His Majesty's Government upon this point.