§ MR. DICKINSONasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the existing Law is sufficient to enable the Government to carry out the Rules specified in Article VI. of the Treaty of Washington of 8th May 1871; and, if not, whether the Government will introduce a measure this Session to give them the authority necessary for the purpose?
MR. GLADSTONESir, my answer to my hon. Friend's Question must be given subject to reserve, inasmuch as we are not the final authority empowered to construe the Articles of the Treaty. As treaties are international instruments, it is not in our power to treat them as matters merely of interpretation by any particular Government. Subject only to that reservation, I have to say that, 1540 according to our belief, and the fair and reasonable interpretation of the rules contained in the article to which my hon. Friend has referred, the existing powers of the Law of England are sufficient to enable us to give full and fair effect to the Treaty, and, consequently, we have no intention whatever of applying to Parliament, as at present advised, for any alteration of the law.