§ Sir CHARLES DILKEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he proposes to lay before the House the text of the Belgian Government's reply to the British despatch of 4th November last; whether the presentation of the reply will be accompanied by an answer from His Majesty's Government; and whether the House may rest assured that the previously announced policy holds good, to the effect that no steps will be taken to recognise the annexation of the Congo by Belgium until the House has had an opportunity of expressing its opinion thereon?
§ Sir E. GREYAs I informed the hon. Member for Newcastle on 18th March, the question of the reply to the last Belgian Note is under consideration, and until this has been settled I am unable to name a date for publication. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. REESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any, and, if so, what, alternative to Belgian annexation is seriously contemplated?
§ Sir E. GREYThat is a question for the answer to which I must ask the hon. Member to wait until the reply of the Belgian Government has been laid before the House.
§ Sir CHARLES DILKEasked if His Majesty's Government continues to be in communication with the Government of the United States as to the measures which it may become necessary to adopt should the withholding of recognition of the Belgian annexation of the Congo prove insufficient to secure the essential reforms pressed for by the British and American Governments?
§ Sir E. GREYCertain questions in connection with the Belgian Note are being referred to the law officers. As soon as these questions are settled, I shall communicate to the Government of the United States the nature of our reply and our views of the situation.