§ MR. PHILIP STANHOPE (Wednesbury)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the declaration of Her Majesty's Government that they insisted upon the restoration by Portugal of the status quo in the disputed territory as a preliminary step and condition for the discussion of the main question, and for placing it on diplomatic ground, the status quo has now been sufficiently restored; and, if so, whether the two Governments have entered upon, or intend entering upon, the discussion of their respective claims in the territory in question, and what course it is proposed to take if they cannot agree?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONThere is no foundation for the declaration attributed to Her Majesty's Government. We simply insisted on the withdrawal of the Portuguese forces from the British Protectorate. There was no condition as to the restoration of the status quo (an 31 expression which has been used by the Portuguese newspaper Press as implying that Great Britain also must abstain from exercising protectorate) as a preliminary step to the discussion of the main question and placing it on diplomatic ground.
§ MR. P. STANHOPECan the right hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to the exact condition of the negotiations?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONThere are some points which are still under negotiation between the two Governments; but I would rather not enter into particulars.