§ 1. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Office Vote has been put down for to-day in order that the House may have an opportunity of considering the proposal to recognise the Belgian Government of the Congo; and whether he will on this occasion explain the reasons which have determined the Government policy in this matter?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)The answer is in the affirmative. I have already stated in general terms, in reply to a question before Whitsuntide, why we think recognition should take place, but I will give whatever further explanations the House desires.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLIs the Vote not also put down to enable Members to protest against the want of control on the part of this House of Commons over foreign policy?
§ Sir E. GREYThe special object of putting down the Vote to-day was to redeem the pledge given some time ago that the House should have an opportunity of discussing the latest reports from the Congo before the Government actually gave them official recognition. Of course I have no desire to prescribe what subjects shall be discussed. The Vote was put down as the Foreign Office Vote, and it is for the House to say what subjects shall be discussed. I may add that I do not propose to ask for the Vote to-day, and of course it will be put down on a subsequent day.