§ MR. DISRAELI (Cheshire, Altrincham)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any further news has been received by Her Majesty's Government of the French expedition under Captain Toutée in the Niger Territory; whether he is aware that it was openly stated in the French Geographical Society that Captain Toutée was charged with a mission to the basin of the Niger; arid whether Her Majesty's Government has obtained from the French Government a distinct disavowal that this is not a military expedition?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickI have no alteration to make in 1167 the terms of the answer which was given last week, nor can I at present add to it.
§ MR. DISRAELIIs the hon. Member aware that the statement as to Captain Toutée's being charged with a mission came from an officer of the headquarter staff?
§ SIR E. GREYI do not think that affects the answer which I have given, namely, that I have no alteration to make in the answer which I gave last week.