§ SIR RICHARD TEMPLEOn behalf of the hon. Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield (Sir E. Ashmead-Bartlett), I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty—(1) whether he can state for what reasons the French gunboat Ardent has been for some months in Niger waters; (2) whether the officers of the Ardent forcibly released a launch from the custody of British Revenue officials belonging to the Niger Company, and carried it off; (3) whether armed launches from the Ardent have been of late patrolling Niger waters in defiance of International Law; (4) when there is any prospect of this French gunboat being withdrawn from these British waters; and (5) what British Naval force is now in Niger waters?
§ SIR E. GREYThe Ardent, having entered the river without instructions grounded, and cannot leave till the water rises, when, as we have been assured by the French Government, she will descend the river. We have been informed that an incident of the character referred to in the second paragraph of the question has occurred, but are awaiting despatches with regard to it. We have no information as to the alleged patrolling of the waters of the Niger by armed French launches. The usual British Naval force is on the West African Station, but there are not, so far as we know, any of Her Majesty's ships in the Niger waters at this moment.
§ SIR RICHARD TEMPLE (Surrey, Kingston)Will the hon. Baronet kindly answer the part of the question as to the withdrawal of the gunboat?
§ SIR E. GREYI have answered that she cannot leave till the water rises, when, we are assured by the French Government she will descend the river.