§ SIR C. W. DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn, to the fact that, in communicating to Her Majesty's Government the last made French Treaty with Madagascar, and in a despatch to French representatives at various Courts dated December, 1885, M. de Freycinet stated that this Treaty would not affect treaties existing between the Hova Government and other States (including Great Britain), and that there was no intention on the part of France to put any obstacle in the way of the enterprise in Madagascar of the subjects of other nations; whether the Convention of 1890 also saves the position of British subjects as entitled to most favoured-nation treatment in Madagascar; whether French traders have recently been favoured in the working arrangements of the Customs of Madagascar; whether a notice was recently given that all concessions by the Malagasy Government have to be approved by the French Resident in order to be valid; and whether there is any correspondence upon the subject which can be laid before Parliament?
§ SIR E. GREYThe answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. Under the agreement of 1890 the British Government recognised the French Protectorate over 188 Madagascar on the understanding that it would not affect any rights or immunities enjoyed by British subjects in that island. We have not heard that French traders have been favoured in the working of the Customs. A notice was given in July, 1894, that any concession which is not approved by the Resident General and registered at the Residency General will be considered null and void. A question was addressed to the French Government with reference to this, but in view of the existing condition of affairs any discussion of it has been postponed for the present. The question whether any Papers can be laid will be taken into consideration.