HC Deb 16 February 1888 vol 322 cc557-8
MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any despatch or despatches were received in the course of last year from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, suggesting that this country should give certain pledges or assurances to Italy, in order to induce that Power to enter into an alliance with Germany and Austria, or with either of those Powers; and, whether such pledges or assurances were given; and, if so, whether he will state what these pledges or assurances were? I wish also to ask, whether the right hon. Gentleman has observed that the Epoca di Genoa guarantees the fact that Vice Admiral Hewett, in returning thanks to a toast in that city, said that England would send out ships to help Italy in case of a war; and, whether the French and Italian Governments have been informed that this statement is entirely unauthorized?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FEBGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)

I have already stated, in reply to the hon. Member, that I must decline to produce any Correspondence between Her Majesty's Government and Foreign Powers in regard to the condition of affairs in Europe; and I believe that the House will recognize that the present time is one in which it would be most unwise to do so. With regard to the last Question of the hon. Member, I have not seen anything purporting to be a report of Admiral Hewett's speech, and I should hesitate to take it on second-hand report from any newspaper.

MR. LABOUCHERE

In consequence of the reticent reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I shall move the following Amendment to the Address:— Humbly to represent to Her Majesty that it will conduce to our proper appreciation of certain of the subjects which Her Majesty has recommended to our consideration, if we can be informed that no Correspondence has been exchanged between Her Majesty's Ministers and the Government of His Majesty the King of Italy, containing any assurance of a contractual character, which would constitute a binding pact upon Her Majesty's Ministers in the unfortunate event of a war breaking out during their tenure of office between the French Republic and the Kingdom of Italy, or if such assurances have been given, that they should be brought to our knowledge.