§ 65. Brigadier-General Sir O. THOMASasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total aggregate cost up to the date of the Armistice of the East African campaign to the British Government and the Protectorates of British East Africa and Uganda; what proportion does such expenditure bear to the total expenditure by the Belgian Government in respect of their African campaigns; whether their territorial claim to Ruandi and Urundi is based upon their relative proportion of the total Anglo-Belgian expenditure; and, if not, on what grounds do the Belgians base such claim?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYAs regards the cost of the East African campaign, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given in the House by the Under-Secretary of State for War to a similar question yesterday. I am not in a position to express an opinion upon the subject raised in the latter part of the question.
§ Sir O. THOMASIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman able to give the House the grounds on which the Belgians are making this extraordinary claim? They must be basing their claim on some grounds, and that is what I want to know on behalf of the people of that country as well as this House.
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise that if we discuss on the floor of this House all the reasons for which particular demands are made at the Peace Conference, it will impede the work of the Conference.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBut is not the claim of the Belgians based on the admirable nature of their administration of the Congo?
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman give an assurance that the natives of Ruandi and Urundi will be consulted?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYIt would be a novel position to give an assurance on behalf of the Peace Conference.
§ Sir O. THOMASIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that during the occupation by the Belgians of Ruandi and Urundi the natives caused very great trouble?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI am not aware of that.