Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he was aware that, by a recent decision of the Belgian Colonial Minister, the licences upon ambulating traders in the Congo had been raised from £7 to £20; and whether, in view of the effect of this increase on British-protected Indian and Swahili subjects in carrying on their business in the Congo territory, he proposed to take any action in the matter?
§ Sir EDWARD GREYI do not gather that any discrimination against British subjects is involved by this decision, and I do not therefore propose to take any action in the matter. I may add that the Belgian Colonial Minister has explained to the Colonial Council, with reference to this increase of the licence, that he is anxious to encourage settled traders in the Congo, and that if any ambulating trader chooses to set up a fixed establishment in Congo territory, he becomes, by payment of the tax on a dwelling-house, free to trade without taking out a "colporteur's" licence.