§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHmoved for the production of Reports addressed by the Naval Commander-in-Chief on the Coast of South Africa to the Lords of the Admiralty in reference to the Bay of Angra Pequena and adjacent islands and mainland. The noble Viscount said, that he believed that evidence was now obtainable with reference to British rights in the locality to which his Ques- 788 tion referred. He had a copy of a list of Islands which were handed over by the Cape Government to an English firm, and a copy of a document from a Native Chief which made over a portion of the mainland and a large portion of the Bay of Angra Pequena to another Company. He thought these matters ought to be taken into consideration in the negotiations with Germany. He was convinced of the importance of the Bay eight years ago; and he then wrote a letter to The Times, pointing out the great advantages that would result to the mariners of the country if they made use of the Bay. He regretted now that he did not then urge the Government to assert their rights.
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Moved, "That there be laid before this House, Reports addressed by the Naval Commander-in-Chief on the coast of South Africa to the Lords of the Admiralty in reference to the Bay of Angra Pequena and adjacent islands and mainland."—(The Viscount Sidmouth.)
§ THE EARL OF NORTHBROOKSince the noble Viscount questioned me the other day, I have looked at the Reports from the Naval Commander-in-Chief at the Cape, and I find that there is no professional Report, in the ordinary sense of the word, upon the Bay of Angra Pequena; but there is a Report of a visit paid by one of Her Majesty's ships to the place in consequence of some apprehended disturbance in connection with rival claims to land. This Report is connected with the negotiations which are proceeding between Her Majesty's Government and the German Government; and, therefore, it would not be expedient to make it public at present.
§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHwished to say that his remarks on a former occasion had been misreported in some newspapers. He was represented in those papers as having said that there was a resident magistrate at Angra Pequena, whereas what he really said was that a magistrate had been appointed at Wallfisch Bay.
§ In reply to The Earl of CARNARVON,
§ THE EARL OF DERBYstated that the Papers were in the Foreign Office; but the Government thought that it would not be desirable at present to produce them to Parliament.
THE EARL OF CARNARVONIn that case, his noble Friend must wait for some time to come; because the communica- 789 tions had been going on for some two years already.
§ Motion (by leave of the House) withdrawn.