§ 20. Major Earl WINTERTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the grave allegations which have appeared in the press concerning the maladministration at Tangier by the International Commission; whether he is aware that the Conseil Sanitaire provides no native hospital and that the water supply of the native portion of the town is almost non-existent: and whether the British members of the Conseil Sanitaire have taken any steps to protest against the state of affairs?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI am aware of the statements in the press. It it not correct to say that Tangier is administered by an International Commission. It had been agreed between the British, French and Spanish Governments to set up a reformed system of administration on special lines at Tangier. The War interrupted the negotiations and prevented a settlement for the time being. The negotiations are now being resumed and it is hoped that a satisfactory organisation of government will be established shortly under which the administration of Tangier will be able effectively to cope with such problems as are raised by the Noble Lord's question.
§ Earl WINTERTONDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman deny that the Conseil Sanitaire is responsible for the municipal government of Tangier?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI must assure my Noble Friend that I dealt with that in the reply, which says:
It is not correct to say that Tangier is administered by an International Commission.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIs he aware that it is attributed to the breakdown of International control?
§ 21. Earl WINTERTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he, is aware that the native Moslem inhabitants of Tangier have the greatest, difficulty in obtaining any justice in the courts owing to the complicated system of international capitulations; and whether His Majesty's Government will use their good offices with the government of the French Republic so that a joint effort may be made to reform and simplify the capitulations?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe system of extra-territorial jurisdiction which, under the name of capitulations, applies not merely in Tangier, but in the whole of Morocco and in a number of other countries, is notoriously imperfect. His Majesty's Government are already in consultation with the French and Spanish governments as to the conditions on which the foreign consular jurisdiction in Tangier could be withdrawn, and an early settlement of the question is confidently hoped for.
§ Earl WINTERTONFor the information of those who wish to take part in a 1511 Debate on the international capitulations, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman issue a White Paper as to the scandals of this administration in Tangier?