§ MR. OSBORNE MORGAN (Denbighshire, E.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received any confirmation or contradiction of the statement contained in a Reuter's tele- 299 gram, dated Brisbane, 18th February, that the French are about to construct new forts, to increase the number of their troops, and to build new barracks at Port Sandwich, in the New Hebrides?
§ COMMANDER BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can state when the temporary occupation of the New Hebrides by the French is likely to end?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)There has been no confirmation received by Her Majesty's Government of the statement that the French are about to construct new forts, to increase the number of their troops, and to build new barracks in the New Hebrides. On the contrary, Her Majesty's Government have been informed that the French posts have been much reduced. Her Majesty's Government are in correspondence with the French Government with a view to arrangements under which they will be removed altogether.