§ MR. MONTAGU SCOTT (for Mr. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT)asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government have received any information as to the reported blockade of Madagascar by the French, or of any acts of hostility against the Government of Madagascar; and, whether Her Majesty's Government still adhere to the statements made by Lord Granville in his Despatch of October 7, 1882, to Lord Lyons, that—
Her Majesty's Government recognise the Queen of Madagascar absolute Monarch of the? whole Island, and are unaware of any Treaty stipulations in virtue of which the French Government could properly claim territorial jurisdiction over any part of the mainland of Madagascar?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEHer Majesty's Government have not received any information of the nature referred to by the hon. Member. The Papers already laid before Parliament fully show the position of Her Majesty's 1168 Government with regard to the French claims.