§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any truth in the statements in the Press that the East Africa Chartered Company has given up Vitu; and whether, if this be correct, what is the position of Her Majesty's Government in regard to that country and Mombasa?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickThe Company intends to withdraw from the administration of Vitu at the end of the present mouth. It is a British Protectorate, but does not belong to Zanzibar. Mr. Rodd has been despatched to examine the local conditions and report as to the future administration. Mombasa, which is a Zanzibar port, remains under the Company's administration.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREAm I to understand that the Company is allowed to withdraw from any portion of the 206 territories it occupies, and to retain any portion, such as Mombasa, from which they may derive a profit?
§ SIR E. GREYVitu stands in rather a different position, because it is a Protectorate and not a sphere of influence. With regard to the Company's territories in general, the hon. Member will see that the Company have made certain proposals as regards the administration, upon which Her Majesty's Government have not yet come to any decision.