§ Mr. J. HARRISasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statements made in the presence of the Governor of Kenya Colony and of the late Governor, Sir Edward Northey, that the Kenya Government is taking up with the Italian Government the question of the ivory trade between Kenya and Italian Somaliland, and that Captain Caldwell, of the Game Department, will visit Rome this month in order to lay before the Italian Government the facts of the case; and whether, seeing that it is undesirable for a Crown Colony to carry on negotiations of this kind with foreign governments and for its officials to undertake such missions, he will take steps to see that any representations it may be necessary to make to the Italian Government are only made through the Foreign Office?
Mr. THOMASA local newspaper statement regarding Captain Caldwell which I have seen merely reports that it was expected when he went on leave in April that he would visit Rome. I have in fact directed that he should come home first, and that the question of his visiting Rome should then be considered. Whether it be decided to make use of his special knowledge in this way or not, the negotiations will remain in the hands of the Foreign Office.