HC Deb 23 March 1911 vol 23 c606
Mr. WATT

asked who is the British Consul at Elizabethville, Katanga; and what was his previous experience in the capacity of Consul?

The UNDER-SECRETARY for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)

Mr. Beak is the British Vice-Consul in the Katanga. He was appointed Acting British Vice-Consul at Stanleyville in 1907, previous to which date he had served under the Colonial Office in Northern Nigeria.

Mr. WATT

asked whether prospecting rights are withheld from all British subjects in Katanga, Congo State, while Belgian subjects are freely granted concessions; and whether the Secretary of State is aware that a feeling exists among British residents there that equal justice between the different nationalities is not meted out; if so, will he inquire into this alleged inequality of treatment?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

Mining regulations have now been issued, and I have no evidence that there is discrimination against British subjects.