§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, that the answer given a day or two ago by the Prime Minister to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Westminster (Mr. W. H. Smith) answered also his 828 (Mr. W. E. Forster's) Question, Whether any reply had been made to the Despatches from the French Ambassador of February 20th and February 24th, printed in last week's Gazette, asserting the intention of the French Government to declare rice contraband of war? But he wished to know whether the Correspondence would be produced before Easter? An additional reason for asking that this should be done was, that the Correspondence had been given to the French public; in fact, he had the French Yellow Book in his possession with the Correspondence up to March 21st, containing, he was glad to say, a protest by Her Majesty's Government against rice being considered contraband of war.
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThese Notes were answered on the 27th of February, maintaining the position which, on the 16th, I informed the House had been taken by Her Majesty's Government on this subject. The reply will be included in the Correspondence to be laid upon the Table shortly after Easter.