SIR G. CAMPBELL&c.) (Kirkcaldy,I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can yet state the purport of Major Macdonald's Report regarding the Niger territories, and whether it has or has not justified what has been done; and whether the Report, or the substance of it, will be communicated to the House before they are asked to pass the Votes in Supply for the offices dealing with this subject?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONMajor Macdonald's Report was intended to be confidential. It is of a very detailed character, and cannot be communicated. Indeed, it will receive further and more 1051 particular consideration. A principal object of his work was to furnish Her Majesty's Government with materials for considering the question of extending the charter over adjacent districts. He was further to inquire into certain points under discussion with Germany, with the result that satisfactory explanations have been exchanged during the recent negotiations at Berlin. In addition, he was to examine the administration of the Royal Niger Company, with regard to which, while pointing out certain imperfections, he describes it as in the main highly satisfactory as to progress, system, and observance of the charter.