§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government propose to present any Papers regarding the grant of a Charter to the South African Company, the transfer to them of rights or claims in South Africa, and the arrangements by which the British Treasury is to be protected from expenditure in a country of which the Company are to obtain the profits; and whether a Commissioner from Her Majesty has been sent to Lobengula, King of Matabeleland; and, if so, what are his instructions?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. DE WORMS,) Liverpool, East ToxtathThe Papers presented last month, which I am informed will be distributed immediately, contain full information respecting the Charter of the British South African Company, the message sent to Lobengula, and other matters connected with Matabeleland and the adjacent territories. The correspondence will also show that the British South African Company, although it has not yet commenced to receive profits from its operations, has already relieved Her Majesty's Treasury from expenditure by undertaking a very heavy outlay on telegraphs, police, and railway construction.
§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the question.
§ BARON H. DE WORMSI said that the information would be found in the Papers.