§ MR. PENDERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the International Conference of Delegates from thirty States, which satin Paris in 1882 and 1883, on the subject of the protection of submarine telegraph cables, have come to any agreement; and, if so, whether it is likely that any convention will be concluded; and, if he will lay the Papers connected with same upon the Table of the House?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, the draft of the Convention drawn up by the Delegates at the last Conference has since been under the consideration of the Governments represented. An agreement has now been arrived at, and as soon as the requisite authority has been received by the Plenipotentiaries of the several Powers in Paris, the Convention will be signed. The signature is expected to take place very shortly, and as soon as possible after- 217 wards the Convention will be laid before Parliament.