Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if the British Vice-Consul in the Katanga region of the Congo has forwarded complaints of interference on the part of the Belgian authorities with the free trading rights of British or coloured British subjects with the native population of that district; and if reports of this character have been received from British officials in British protected territories bordering the Congo territory?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Vice-Consul in the Katanga district has 166 reported that he has received from British subjects a certain number of complaints of the kind described in the question. One of these complaints has been forwarded to me as a typical example of their nature, but His Majesty's Vice-Consul seems to hope to be able to find a solution in conjunction with the local authorities of the Katanga district. I am informed by His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies that he has received no reports of this character from officials in British protected territories.
Sir GILBERT PARKERI assume that the Government has made representations on this subject to the Belgian Government?
§ Sir E. GREYThe whole matter is really covered by the correspondence in general which is now proceeding with the Belgian Government. Until we have brought that to a definite issue we cannot very well take up a particular case.
Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Belgian Government has yet given satisfactory assurances that the rights of the native population of the Congo to trade freely in the produce of the soil all over the Congo with merchants of all nationalities are being or will be respected?
§ Sir E. GREYI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk, which applies equally to this question.
Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if arrangements have yet been made to supply the British Consular staff on the Upper Congo with adequate means of conveyance; if the contemplated permanent Vice-Consulate has been established in the Kasai region, and, if so, in what locality; and if he will furnish the names and residences of the actual staff attached to His Majesty's Consulate on the Congo?
§ Sir E. GREYAs soon as His Majesty's Consul at Boma furnishes the estimate of the annual cost of upkeep of a steamer on the Upper Congo, for which he has been asked, measures for providing a suitable vessel will be undertaken. A permanent Vice-Consulate for the Kasai region has been instituted, and Luebo is proposed for the Vice-Consul's residence. His Majesty's Consular Staff in the Congo consists of:—Consul, the Hon. W. G. Thesiger, D.S.O., residing 167 at Boma; Vice-Consul, G. B. Beak, residing at Kambove, in the Katanga district; Vice-Consul, J. P. Armstrong, at Leopoldville; Vice-Consul, G. Campbell, at Stanleyville; and Vice-Consul, E. W. P. Thurston, who is about to take up his appointment in the Kasai district.
Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he has received any further reports from His Majesty's Consular staff on the Congo as to the state of affairs since the Belgian Government assumed control of the administration of that territory; and, if so, when the House can be informed of their contents?
§ Sir E. GREYI continue to receive re ports, in the regular course, from His Majesty's Consular Officers as to the state of affairs in the Congo; but I do not think it would serve any useful purpose to lay further Papers in the present stage of the discussions with the Belgian Government.
Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the quantities of rubber now being obtained from the Kasai region of the Congo are steadily increasing, notwithstanding the disclosures as to the illegal and cruel methods by which this rubber is obtained, as reported by the British Consul in the White Book, Africa, No. 1, 1909; and, if so, what action, if any, does he propose to take in the matter?
§ Sir E. GREYMy attention has not been drawn to any special increase in the quantity of rubber now being obtained from the Kasai region, but I am asking for a report on the subject. The matter forms part of the general question of the treatment of the Congo natives, which is covered by the correspondence with the Belgian Government at present under consideration.