HL Deb 06 July 1959 vol 217 c718
VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make available for members of this House the recent report on the Belgian Congo prepared by Senator Van Hemelrijk, Minister for the Congo.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)

My Lords, I think that the noble Viscount is referring to the report by the Belgian Parliamentary Commission on the events in Leopoldville in January, 1959. The report was published in March this year under the signatures of nine members of the Belgian House of Representatives. I shall be glad to make a copy available for the Library of the House.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, that is the report. It was Senator Van Hemelrijk who went to the Belgian Congo, as the noble Marquess knows. I am very much obliged for the Answer, because it appears from the extracts of the report published in the newspapers that the Belgian approach to their difficulties at Leopoldville has been rather successful.

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, I do not know whether the noble Viscount has had the opportunity yet of reading the report.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

No.

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

I must confess that I myself have not read it fully, although I have read a lot of it. I think the noble Viscount will be very interested when he reads it. I am sure that, should he wish to address any questions to my noble friend who is responsible for colonial matters, he will be only too pleased to answer them.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

I am much obliged to the noble Marquess for his very courteous and helpful reply.