§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, before the House adjourns, I wish to ask the noble Lord who represents the Foreign Office a Question of which I have given him private notice. It is stated in the newspapers to-day, apparently with authority, that a very important arrangement has been concluded between the Congo State and His Majesty's Government. We should be glad, I think, if the noble Lord could tell us whether that statement is correct and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to lay any Papers on the Table with regard to it.
THE UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord FITZMAURICE)My Lords, it is the case that yesterday a treaty was signed on behalf of this country by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and on behalf of the Congo State by Baron van Eetvelde, who had come over here for the purpose. The statement which has appeared in regard to it is substantially correct. As, however, the matters referred to involve a great amount of complicated geographical detail, I am sure the noble Marquess will agree with me that it would not be desirable that I should attempt to make any statement with regard to the contents of the treaty at this moment. The House will all the more readily accept that from me when I announce that I shall lay Papers almost immediately—;certainly not later than Monday next.
§ House adjourned at half-past Six o'clock, till To-morrow, half-past Ten o'clock.