§ MR. MONKasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government has taken any steps, in concert with other Nations, with a view to the protection and preservation of telegraph cables; and, whether it is proposed to send a representative from this Country to the Conference of European Maritime Countries to be held in the Autumn?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, Her Majesty's Government accepted an invitation from the French Government to take part in a Conference on this subject, which was to have met at Paris on the 1st of last month. The French Government, however, postponed its meeting until the autumn. Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that advantage might be taken of this delay to settle beforehand the scope of the labours of the Conference. They are at present in communication with the French and other Governments concerned, and if an understanding is arrived at on this point they will be represented at the Conference.