§ 4. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he intends to lay any Papers on the subject of the Congo before asking the House to approve the recognition of Belgian sovereignty?
§ Sir E. GREYPapers were laid at the end of last Session; the condition of affairs in the Congo under Belgian rule is now very different from what it was under the old regime, and it is very undesirable that His Majesty's Government should withhold the recognition that has been given expressly or practically by almost every other Power. But as has been repeatedly promised, recognition will not be formally given by His Majesty's Government till the House has had an opportunity of discussing the most recent Papers on the subject. These were laid at the end of last Session.
6. Mr. SILVESTER HORNEasked whether the prospective recognition by the British Government of the Belgian annexation of the Congo State may be taken as an indication that reforms establishing the rights of the Congo natives in the land and the fruits of the soil have been fully conceded by the Belgian Government?
§ Sir E. GREYI would refer the hon. Member to the Papers which have been laid before Parliament to form a basis for discussion of the recognition of the Belgian annexation of the Congo. As I have already informed the House, I hope that that discussion will take place next month.