§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that great anxiety is caused to those interested in missions in Madagascar by the report that this country may give France a free hand in Madagascar in return for assenting to our Protectorate in Zanzibar; whether he is aware that a large part of Madagascar has been civilised and Christianised by British Protestant missionaries; whether great anxiety was caused to those missionaries by the pretensions of France some years ago, and whether a peaceful settlement was then come to, under which Madagascar is making rapid progress; and whether Her Majesty's Government will refrain from doing anything which may give France a pretext to encroach on the liberty of the Malagasy people or disturb the full rights now enjoyed by the British missionaries and their adherents?
§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, W.)May I ask whether, considering the very harsh treatment of the Rev. Mr. Shaw, the Government will take care that the missionaries are properly protected?
* THE UNDER, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir. J. FER-GUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.I think my answer will cover both questions. Her Majesty's Government are well aware of the work and claims of British mis- 1729 sionaries in Madagascar, and will not fail to consider them in all circumstances.
§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)Will the Government, in any negotiations, regard the claims of the Malagasies?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONThat question does not arise out of my answer.