§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the concession which the Sultan of Muscat had granted to France in regard to a coaling depot included the right to fly the French flag on the depot, and to fortify it; and what is the nature of the concession now granted?
§ MR. BRODRICKA piece of land was granted in one of the coves dependent on Muscat as a mark of favour and respect to the French Government. There was no stipulation in the grant to preclude the hoisting of the French flag or the erection of fortifications. It is now proposed that the French Government shall have the use of a coal-shed in exactly the same manner as the British Government have, and probably in the same place; but there will be no lease or cession of any kind.