§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the statements in the newspapers correctly report the agreement which has been signed between France and Great Britain as to the Upper Nile Valley and the Western Soudan, and whether the route for trade will be open and free from duties between the Nile and the Niger territory?
§ MR. BRODRICKIn the main the accounts which have appeared of the agreement between Great Britain and France as to the delimitation of territory in Africa are correct, and we are in communication with the French Government as to publishing the text of the agreement. I hope to be able to lay it on the Table in a few days. The agreement stipulates for equal treatment of British and French trade between the Nile and Lake Chad, which affords access to the Niger territory.