MR. GLADSTONESir, I wish to put a Question to Her Majesty's Govern- 417 ment, which I could not put before today, because I had not read the despatch which has been circulated this morning. I think it is a question of much importance in relation to the present negotiations. If, however, it is not convenient that the Question should be answered now, I will put it on Thursday; but I will read it now, in order that my right hon. Friend may say whether he can answer it now or then. It is, to ask Her Majesty's Government, Whether, in the communications with the Russian Government which have been lately presented to Parliament (No. 24, 1878), it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to reserve to themselves the liberty of withdrawal from the Congress upon a proposal, by way of amendment to the Treaty or otherwise, to discuss any matter of which they might hold the discussion to be inadmissable, and without sharing in, or waiting for, the discussion itself?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I prefer that Notice should be given of the Question.