§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Bechuanaland Exploration Company has any concession confirmed by Her Majesty's Government over the mineral rights in any part of that portion of Bechuanaland under British protection, or that portion of it the sovereignty of which is contested between Lobengula and Khama; could he explain what is the connection of the Bechuanaland Exploration Company with the South Africa Chartered Company; whether the South Africa Chartered Company is possessed of the concessions granted to the African Lakes Company; and, if so, over what extent of country they extend; whether the concession obtained by the South Africa Chartered Company from the Chief Lewanika, which gives to the Company the whole British sphere of influence immediately north of the Zambesi, except Nyassaland, has been confirmed by Her Majesty's Government; whether the concession granted to the South Africa Chartered Company by Gungunhama, 20th October, 1890, giving to the Company mining rights in his territory, has been confirmed by Her Majesty's Government; whether Gungunhama's territory is in the British or Portuguese sphere of 'influence, and what is the extent of that territory; whether the concession granted to the Company by Umtassa over Manicaland has been recognised by Her Majesty's Government; whether, since the granting of this concession, Umtassa has made any complaint that he has been attacked by the Company's forces, and what is the extent of territory covered by this concession; if he can state approximately the extent of territory in which the South Africa Chartered Company has acquired mining concessions; and whether, in view of the agreement of Her Majesty's Government to guarantee £10,000 per annum for making the railroad from Vryburg to Gabarones, on 347 condition of the South Africa Chartered Company and the Tati Company guaranteeing a further £10,000 per annum, Her Majesty's Government has satisfactory evidence that the finances of these Companies are in such a position that this £10,000 per annum is certain of being forthcoming?
§ MR. S. BUXTONI have endeavoured to obtain answers to my hon. Friend's conundrums in time to bring them down, but it took so long to get the answers prepared that I must ask my hon. Friend to put them down for Thursday.