§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether there is now any question of making over to the Royal Niger Company the Oil Rivers Territory now attachéd as a Protectorate to the Colony of Lagos, or any other territory in that direction, in any way, subject to Her Majesty's control or protection?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERQUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)No part of the Oil Rivers Protectorate is now attachéd to the Colony of Lagos. The question of the manner in which the portion of the Protectorate shall be administered which lies between Lagos and the Cameroons, and is not included in the Royal Niger Company's territory, is under consideration; but no decision has yet been taken. The Secretary of State is about to send a Special Commissioner of independent position to report upon all questions affecting the Niger and the adjoining districts under Her Majesty's Protectorate.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLgave Notice that he would call attention to the subject on the Consular Vote.