3. Mr. E. HARVEYasked whether His Majesty's Government has received a copy of Mr. Consul Fuller's report; and whether any steps have been taken to secure for the British subject at Iquitos, named George Worrell, the wages due to him for six years' labour?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Government have received copies of Consul Fuller's report. His report repeats the facts with reference to George Worrell of which we had previously been informed by His Majesty's Consul at Iquitos. His Majesty's Consul having received a complaint sent this Barbadian British subject, who was about fifteen years old, to the sub-Prefect with a request that his claim for wages might be examined. The sub- 184 Prefect replied: "After making investigations in the case it appears that the said Worrell is a ward under age, and, as it is a matter of a contentious nature, I have arranged for him to lay his demand formally before a Justice of the Peace, whose office it is to solve this class of affair." I will ascertain the result of the action taken by the sub-Prefect.
§ Sir E. GREYI can put a copy of it in the Library. I understand it has been published in the United States.
§ 6. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked whether His Majesty's Government is yet represented at Iquitos by any fully-paid Consular officer; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay, regard being had to the atrocities perpetrated in furtherance of the rubber districts of Peru?
§ Sir E. GREYAn officer of the salaried Consular service has been appointed to Iquitos in succession to Mr. Michell, the former salaried Consul, who has been transferred to another post for reasons of health. Mr. Huckin, the newly appointed Consul at Iquitos, has been granted the leave of absence to which he is entitled, but he is due to proceed to his post on 1st June.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman who is now the Consul at Iquitos? Is he not a gentleman who is agent to one of the rubber-exporting companies?
§ Sir E. GREYThat question has been answered before. There is a gentleman acting Consul in the absence of a salaried Consul, and I am going to send a salaried Consul as soon as I can.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLDoes the right hon. Gentleman understand the extreme seriousness of having no responsible person in the district?
§ Sir E. GREYOne cannot have salaried Consuls all over the world. A salaried Consul is being specially sent to this place as soon as possible because there is importance attached to it.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that he is not connected with the rubber trade?
§ Sir E. GREYThere is no question of a salaried Consul being connected with any trade.