§ SIR HORACE DAVEY (Stockton)I bog to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have received from the British South Africa Company a Minute or Memorandum of the terms upon which they are prepared, in the event of their obtaining' possession of the territory claimed by the Mozambique Company, to confirm the grants and concessions made by that company: and, if so, what is the effect of it; whether it is the fact that the British South Africa Company cannot, by their charter, acquire powers of administration over any territory by Treaty without the approval of the Secretary of State; and whether the Secretary of State will make it a condition of his approval of the acquisition by the British South Africa Company of powers of government and administration over Manicaland 264 by any Treaty that the British South Africa Company respect, and confirm all grants and concessions made by the Mozambique Company in favour of or now vested in British subjects?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONNo such Minute or Memorandum has been received as is mentioned in the first paragraph. The British South Africa Company can acquire powers of administration by agreement, but they cannot exercise them without the approval of the Secretary of State. Whatever may be the arrangements made or sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government with regard to Manica, the lawfully acquired rights of individuals and companies will receive every consideration.