§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the temporary obstacles have been removed which prevented the immediate fulfilment of Her Majesty's Gracious promise to King Ja Ja, that he should be restored to his Native land; what is the present condition of Ja Ja's health; and whether the Government have adequate assurance that he can survive a much longer banishment from his Native climate?
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.The obstacles have not yet been removed. They arise from the necessity of preventing the introduction into the Protectorate of an element dangerous to its tranquillity while the administration is being organised. Ja Ja's state of health is not good, and no time will be lost in 26 enabling him to return to Africa when circumstances permit.
§ MR. PICTONWill the right hon. Gentleman give any undertaking as to the length of time which may have to elapse, or are we to regard the promise as having been withdrawn?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONNo, Sir; not at all. I said on a former occasion that the delay was owing to the necessity of establishing a better form of administration in the Oil Rivers district. There have been certain financial arrangements to be made, but I believe that they are now nearly settled, and I hope that it will not be long before everything is finally settled.
§ *SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston)Has there been any recent information as to the health of King Ja Ja? It was recently reported that he was in a very dangerous state of health.
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONI am afraid that he is not at all well, but I have no reason to apprehend that he is likely to die.