§ MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the promise given by him to allow King Ja Ja to return to his own country would be carried out; whether it was true that Ja Ja has been suffering much in health since he has been in St. Vincent; and whether there had been disturbances recently in Opobo in consequence of the discontent amongst the Natives there at their King's exile?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONThe decision in the case of Ja Ja was that he should be deported for a term of not less than five years. Ja Ja has complained of ill-health, but his statement was not corroborated by the local authorities. The recent disturbances in the Opobo river were not owing to discontent in consequence of their late King's exile, but to a renewal of the interruption to trade in the river similar to those which Ja Ja formerly occasioned.
§ MR. W. REDMONDMay I ask whether it is not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman himself stated in answer to a question I put to him in regard to this sentence, that, probably, the King would be allowed to return before the expiration of the term.
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONI remember saying that when there were no evil consequences, no danger to be appre- 995 hended, there would he no objection to Ja Ja's return, but the circumstances referred to in the hon. Member's question show that that period has not arrived.
§ MR. W. REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman cause further inquiry to be made into the complaint that the climate of St. Vincent is injurious to the health of the King?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONThe matter has been inquired into and, I believe, it has been proved that there is nothing in connection with Ja Ja's residence injurious to his health.