2. Mr. SILVESTER HORNEasked whether any further communications have passed between His Majesty's Government and the Belgian Government in connection with the rights in land and the trading rights of the Native population of the Congo?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer is in the affirmative. I shall, of course, lay Papers later on, in accordance with the pledge 1821 given to Parliament, so that it will be evident how these matters stand, before recognition takes place.
§ Sir J. D. REESDid not the last Papers laid tend to show a very satisfactory improvement in the condition of things in the Congo?
§ Sir E. GREYThey did show a considerable improvement at the time those Papers were laid, but there was still one large area which had not been thrown open to trade. That area has now been thrown open, and we are going to have reports of the actual state of affairs there, and until those reports have been received the information laid before the House will not be complete.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs not the important thing that the Natives should be restored to their rights in the land, apart from trade with Europeans?
§ Sir E. GREYThat point will be dealt with in the Papers laid. It has been dealt with in the Papers already laid, and it will be dealt with more completely when the further Papers are laid.
3. Mr. SILVESTER HORNEasked if His Majesty's Government has received any official intimation from the Belgian Government that the reforms embodied in the decree of March, 1910, were inaugurated on 1st July in the third area of the Congo State; and whether any member of His Majesty's Consular staff will be instructed to visit the said area to report upon the new conditions before the close of the current year?
§ Sir E. GREYI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Gravesend on the 23rd instant.