§ MR. ROSE (Cambridgeshire, New-market)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can say if any use is being made of the two stations leased to the French Government on the Niger, under the treaty of June, 1898; what quantity of merchandise has been received; and whether the French authorities on the spot have found it practicable to have such merchandise as has been received transhipped in accordance with the conditions of the lease.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe French Government have made, and continue to make, use of the pieces of land on the Niger leased to them under the Convention of the 14th of June, 1898. It is not possible to state, without calling for special Returns, the quantity of goods which have been received on the concession. The leases contain no special conditions as to the transhipment.