asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any news of the arrest of Mr. Moore, editor of the "Livingstone Mail," by the Governor of Katanga, for exposing the maladministration of the country; whether Mr. Moore is a British subject; whether he is now in gaol serving his sentence; whether the efforts of the British Vice-Consul to obtain his release have failed; and, if so, what he proposes to do?

I have received a telegram from the Acting Vice-Consul at Elizabethville stating that a Rhodesian newspaper editor, no doubt Mr. Moore, has been punished for libel and disputes the jurisdiction of the Court on account of the publication having taken place in Rhodesia. I have asked for further particulars, and have instructed His Majesty's Minister at Brussels to request that full inquiry may be made into the case at once. I have also inquired what is the sentence on the editor, whether he has the right of appeal and, if so, to request that he should be admitted to bail pending the hearing of the appeal.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, according to a telegram received this morning, Mr. Moore has appealed, and the sentence has been confirmed? Will he press the Belgian Government to release the prisoner until a report of the case has been received here?

I am only aware now of what my hon. Friend tells me. The case seems to be a rather serious one, and if the facts of which we know are confirmed, my hon. Friend may be sure everything possible will be done.

May I ask whether there is any danger of this Gentleman's health? I am advised by Constituents of mine, who are near relatives of Mr. Moore, that they have fears for his health?

I shall be glad to receive any information on that matter.

Would the hon. Member treat the request for bail as one of urgency, in view of the condition of gaols in tropical climates and their effect on health?

I will consider that also.

Would not Mr. Moore be subject to the Belgian Penal Code? If so, is there any reason to suppose that that code is lacking in humanity or justice?

I cannot answer a question of that kind. The code to which Mr. Moore was subject would depend on the place and nature of the offence.

Is the Katanga anywhere near Putumayo?