MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been given to the statement that officers and military stores are being despatched from this country for service in the hinterland of the Niger, and that two companies of the 1st West India Regiment are to be sent into that country; and whether he can consistently with the interests of the public service, state what is the total 640 amount of force which it is proposed to despatch to those regions, and against what Power it is proposed to employ them?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESI am not in a position at present or consistently with the public interests, to answer these Questions. I can only say that any forces in these territories are for defensive and not aggressive purposes.