§ MR. PICTONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether Major Macdonald's Report as to the state of affairs in the Niger territories has been received, and when it will be presented to the House; and whether Her Majesty's Government has received proposals for the constitution of a chartered company to take charge of the Oil Rivers district, and applications from King Ja Ja of Opobo, and others, for his re-instatement; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government has taken action thereon?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONMajor Macdonald's Report has been received, but it is confidential, and not intended for publication. Proposals have been received for the constitution of a chartered company to administer the Oil Rivers district, and also representations against such an arrangement. The question is under consideration, and I am authorised to say that whatever is intended to be done will be made known to the House, so that opportunity will be afforded for objections to be expressed. Ja Ja has applied to be allowed to return to Opobo, but it has not been thought expedient to permit him to do so.
§ MR. PICTONI wish to know whether the Report of Major Macdonald was not intended for the information of Parliament, or whether it is only a private Report?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI stated last year that the Report would be confidential.