§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is the fact that an arrangement has been made with Russia at the Conference now sitting in London, in virtue of which Russia will have the exclusive right of controlling the navigation through the Kilia mouth of the Danube, subject to certain conditions with respect to the levying of tolls, &c. and that a Treaty in this sense is in preparation for the signature of the Powers, thereby cancelling Article 16 of the Treaty of Paris, which remains in force under Article 63 of the Treaty of Berlin, and which provides that all the mouths of the Danube shall be under the control of the European Commission; if so, whether an opportunity will be given of discussing the subject in Parliament before a provision so important to British trade was abrogated with the consent of Her Majesty's Government? He did did not wish to embarrass Her Majesty's Government in the conduct of the delicate negotiations then going on, but he thought the House ought to be in possession of the facts.
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, I quite understand that it is not the intention of my hon. Friend to embarrass Her Majesty's Government. In answer to the hon. Member's Question, I may say that the Conference has not yet finished its sittings, and the Members of it are not yet released from the en- 1901 gagement of secrecy as to its proceedings. I hope, however, that Papers will be laid before Parliament in the course of next week.
§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSsaid, the noble Lord had not answered that portion of his Question which referred to an opportunity for discussion by the House before the Treaty was signed.
§ [No reply.]