§ MR. MACIVERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the recent proceedings of France in Tunis are in accordance with European concert; or if it is true that France has, by force of arms, possessed herself of Biserta without regard to the views of any other Power; and, whether it is the case that France has practically assumed the protectorate of Tunis without friendly consultation with Her Majesty's Government, notwithstanding that there are upwards of ten thousand Maltese residents there who, as British subjects, have hitherto enjoyed rights and privileges which may or may not be secured to them under the new arrangements?
SIR CHARLES W. DUKESir, the Papers which will very shortly be published will contain all the facts known to Her Majesty's Government relating to the French Expedition to Tunis, and I must repeat the opinion which I have already expressed, that it will be the more convenient course to defer any statement on these points until the House has had the opportunity of considering the Papers. I must request the hon. Member for Portsmouth (Sir H. Drummond Wolff) to take the same answer in reference to the Question he has placed upon the Paper.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFsaid, he was sorry that he could not accept that view.