Sir GILBERT PARKERasked if representations had been made to the Belgian Government by His Majesty's Government as to the retention of the powers and privileges precedently granted to concessionaire companies in the Congo by the late Administration of the Congo State; and if the Secretary of State's attention had been drawn to the preamble to the Royal Decree of March last, wherein it is explained that the Belgian Government claimed the right of creating further monopolies of a similar character?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer which I gave to a somewhat similar question put to me by the hon. Member on the 16th instant applies also to the first part of the present question. The answer to the second part of the question is that the right to give concessions is retained, as it is by every 1087 Government, but these would not necessarily be open to the same objections as the concessions referred to in the first part of the question.
Sir GILBERT PARKERasked whether the exequaturs granted to the members of the British Consular staff now exercising their functions in the Congo had been renewed; whether the late British Consul, Captain Thesiger, had been replaced; what were the names of the present members of the Consular staff and the localities to which they were appointed; where they were now situated; what steps were taken to replace them when on leave; whether they had yet been provided with independent means of communication on the waterways of the country; and whether it was the intention of His Majesty's Government to increase their number?
§ Sir E. GREYThe exequaturs granted to the British Consular staff in the Congo have not been renewed, there being no Government in the Congo which has yet been formally recognised by His Majesty's Government. The vacancy caused by Consular Thesiger's promotion has been filled. The present Consular staff is as follows: Mr. Mackie, Consul at Boma; Mr. Armstrong, Vice-Consul at Leopoldville; Mr. Campbell, Vice-Consul at Stanleyville; Mr. Beak, Vice-Consul in the Katanga district; and Mr. Thurstan, Vice-Consul in the Kasai district. Mr. Campbell and Mr. Beak are at this moment on the way back to the Congo after leave of absence. Mr. Mackie and Mr. Thurstan are at their posts, and Mr. Armstrong is travelling in the Congo. No steps are taken to replace the Vice-Consuls when on leave, nor would such a course be practicable as a rule. The Consul is replaced when on leave by one of the Vice-Consuls. Steps are being taken to send out a launch to His Majesty's Consul at Boma. The answer to the last question is in the negative, but the Consular staff was increased in March last year.