§ Mr. COWANasked whether the Sultan of Morocco recently addressed to the representatives of the European Powers a voluntary letter, in which he solemnly undertook to suppress all cruel punishments; whether, subsequently, Mulai Hafid caused the wife of Haj Ben Aissa, the late Governor of Fez, to be cruelly tortured to compel her to disclose the place of concealment of certain moneys and jewels; whether her mother has died in consequence of similar torture; and whether, considering the long series of like atrocities which Mulai Hafid has perpetrated, His Majesty's Government has come to any understanding with the Government of the French Republic with a view to bringing effective pressure to bear upon the Sultan to compel him to conform to the practice of civilised States, and to obtain effective guarantees for the abolition of torture in Morocco?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot from official information add to the accounts which have appeared in the Press of these tortures, but I regret to say that there is nothing in such information as has reached me which tends to show that the statements made are untrue. His Majesty's Government would, of course, be most ready to co-operate in any action which is practicable and likely to be effective in putting a stop to such cruelties, but the whole question of improving the internal ad- 588 ministration of Morocco is one of great difficulty.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill he say whether he will do all he can to prevent money being advanced to this potentate?
§ Sir E. GREYI am not aware that anyone is advancing any money.