§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will place in the Library copies of any despatches received from British Consuls in the Congo describing events there since the date of independence.]
794§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)My Lords, since my noble friend put down his Question, my noble friend the Leader of this House has twice made very complete statements on recent events in the Congo, based on reports by Her Majesty's Ambassador and Her Majesty's Consular representatives in that country. There have also, of course, been detailed Press reports. Though I appreciate the importance of my noble friend's wish for full information on this subject, I do not think that it is necessary for the moment to publish any further material.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend if he would give consideration to these three points, with a view possibly to the publication of a White Paper during the Recess? First of all, it is difficult to get an accurate knowledge of the number of Belgian women who have been attacked by Congolese and raped. There are terrible stories of this and there is a conflict of evidence in the Press. The second point is that it is very difficult to understand from the Press reports the extent of the administrative chaos, if it exists, in all parts of the Congo except Katanga. The third point, which is a delicate one, is that in one single newspaper, which I hope was incorrect, it was stated that Mr. Lumumba had been imprisoned recently for embezzlement. If that is true, it does not seem that he is quite a suitable person to be a V.I.P. in this country. One would like further information on these points. Perhaps my noble friend would give consideration to this.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, of course we all appreciate that it is important for us to learn what lessons there are to be learned from this tragic situation. Naturally, Her Majesty's Government will give consideration to what my noble friend has said, and if it is deemed desirable, certainly we will consider later on the publication of as many of the facts of this unhappy story as can be revealed.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, I am much obliged to my noble friend.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, may I ask 795 whether the noble Marquess is aware that the Opposition are very anxious that, in all these matters concerning the Congo, we should steadily pursue the line that it is in the hands of the United Nations Organisation? It would be a great pity if steps were specially taken to try to denigrate the native question in the Congo. But let all the facts be brought out, as they ought to be brought out, by the United Nations Organisation.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Viscount the Leader of the Opposition. I entirely agree with what he said.