HC Deb 30 November 1908 vol 197 cc1104-5
MR. FELL

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if, having regard to the position that has arisen in the Lado enclave, and to the mischief that has followed on the withdrawal of troops of the Congo Free State, he will consider the advisability of transferring the management of the enclave, subject to the lease to the King of the Belgians, to the Colonial Office, so that it may be administered with the East African Protectorate and Uganda.

MR. ASQUITH

The Agreement of 9th May, 1906, between Great Britain and the Independent State of the Congo provides that on the termination of occupation of the Lado enclave by His Majesty King Leopold II., the territory shall be handed over within six months to the Soudanese Government. His Majesty's Government do not propose to alter that arrangement.

MR. FELL

Have not the Colonial Office the better machinery for administering such territory?

MR. ASQUITH

The territory will be handed over as soon as circumstances permit.