HC Deb 10 November 1908 vol 196 cc38-9
EARL OF RONALDSHAY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is within his knowledge that the recently appointed Colonial Minister for Belgium was formerly an administrator of the Compagnie du Chemin du Congo aux Grands Lacs, a concessionaire company, whose treatment of the natives is strongly condemned in the Report of Vice-Consul Michell, published in the White-book, Africa No. 1. (1908). [Cd. 3880]; and whether the official appointed as the chief of the Colonial Minister's staff was one of the leading officials in the Congo Free State's Brussels administration.

SIR EDWARD GREY

Monsieur Renkin, the new Colonial Minister, was at one time a director of the Grands Lacs Railway Company; he resigned this position on taking office in the Belgian Cabinet. The second part of the Question has presumably reference to Monsieur Droogman's appointment as Secretary-General. He was formerly Secretary-General for Finance in the administration of the independent State.

MR. BELLOC (Salford, S.)

Have we any jurisdiction whatsoever—have we any right to make any kind of complaint as to who is nominated for this post?

SIR EDWARD GREY

I do not think that arises out of the Question, which I regarded as seeking for information. That information I have given without any comment.