§ MR. SETON-KARR (St. Helen's)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is a fact that the Delagoa Bay Railway Concession is about to be offered at auction by the Portuguese Government, and that a group of capitalists is being formed to purchase it; whether, if this is the case, the purchase-money will be paid to the Portuguese Government unconditionally or otherwise; and how it is proposed to protect the interests of the present shareholders?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON, Manchester, N.E.)We are not informed as to the railway being sold by auction, or as to the terms on which it will be paid for. On page 59 of the Papers will be found a Royal Decree approving a contract for the completion of the line by a Dutch Company. I stated rather fully yesterday the actual condition of the affairs. If my hon. 1770 Friend, after reference to that statement, desires further information, I shall be glad to afford it, if possible.