HC Deb 07 July 1926 vol 197 cc2055-7
5. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who is the officer in charge of the mixed police in the international zone of Tangier and what is his nationality; what control is exercised over the police by the Tangier administration; who are the British members of the Tangier administration; and whether they have been instructed to exercise proper control over the police with a view to preventing abuses?

7. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what the nationality is of the international police officers in Tangier against whom certain charges have recently been made; and to what extent is His Majesty's Government responsible for these appointments?

8. Mr. RAMSDEN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that serious complaints have been made with regard to the international police force in Tangier; and whether he will press for an immediate inquiry into its methods?

10. Viscount SANDON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the investigation into the police scandals in the international zone at Tangier involves any British subjects?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

If I may, I will answer these questions together. The civil police of Tangier are under the control of the Administrator, who is in turn responsible to the Tangier Legislative Assembly. The Commissioner at the head of the force is of French nationality and the force is composed of police officers of different nationalities, including two Spanish Assistant Commissioners. The Commissioner and one of the Assistant Commissioners have been suspended. His Majesty's Government are in no way responsible for any appointment in the Tangier police. The principal British members of the Tangier Administration are the three British representatives in the Assembly, the Director of Finance and His Majesty's Consul-General at Tangier. Neither the British representatives in the Assembly nor the Director of Finance are under the control of His Majesty's Government. So far as I am aware, no British subjects are involved in the abuses which are alleged to have taken place. As the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) was informed on the 5th instant, His Majesty's Consul-General at Tangier is pressing for a full inquiry, but I am unable to state whether any British subject will take part in any investigation which may be made.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that it would be well to use his influence to secure that, at least, one British officer should be appointed to this mixed police force?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Where there is a competent authority, I am loth to interfere with their discretion so long as I have no reason to believe that they are failing in the execution of their duty.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

In view of the scandal that has occurred, would it not be possible for His Majesty's Consul-General at Tangier to press that one of the Assistant Commissioners should in future be an Englishman; in default of that, would it not be possible for the administration at Tangier, where so many affairs of this sort have occurred, to be taken over by the League of Nations?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Many things are possible, but not always expedient.

Colonel DAY

What are the abuses complained of?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I must have notice of that question.