HC Deb 29 October 1912 vol 43 cc257-8W
Mr. NEWDEGATE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that at least one, and probably several, British subjects have been imprisoned several months without being brought to trial at Elizabethville, in the Congo State; and whether he will make representations to the Belgian Government with a view to these persons being brought to trial?

Sir E. GREY

The Vice-Consul at Elizabethville, who has just arrived in this country, only knows of one case of a British subject being imprisoned without trial, and that for six weeks, pending the arrival of witnesses from the interior. The man in question was then released, and made no complaint to the Vice-Consul of his treatment. Further inquiry is being made of the Acting Vice-Consul.