§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that the rights of the Baptist Missionary Society under the Berlin Act to obtain new sites for mission stations on the Congo have not yet been recognised by the Belgian Government, though those of other religious denominations have been recognised; and whether he can state what steps are being taken to protect the missionary society in its work, particularly whether the Foreign Office will give the society what assistance is necessary to enable it to negotiate directly with the native chiefs for what land it requires to build and establish stations?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Minister at Brussels is in communication with the Belgium Government respecting the application of the Baptist Missionary Society for new sites, and has reported that he is hopeful of being able very shortly to settle the question satisfactorily. I have always been ready to assist the Society when necessary in the past by representations to the Belgian Government, and shall continue to do so in the future.