§ MR. HOWORTH (Salford, S.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is in a position to communicate to the House any information about the Eastern Soudan tending to show if the district is becoming more settled, or if trade is again developing there?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)By a despatch just received from Sir Evelyn Baring, it appears that all restrictions upon trade with the interior from the Red Sea Coast have been withdrawn, and Hindoo merchants have already commenced business at some of the ports. A trial caravan was about to be despatched by a Native merchant to Berber. It thus appears that the district is becoming more settled, and trade again developing.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)asked, whether corn and vegetables were allowed to pass into the Soudan from the South of Egypt?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONreplied, that for some time past provisions had been allowed to pass up the Nile. The Question he had answered applied to the Eastern Soudan.