§ LORD RAVENSWORTHsaid, he wished to put a Question to the noble Earl opposite (Earl Russell), of which, as it related merely to matters of fact, he had not felt it necessary to give previous notice. It was stated in the morning papers, with regard to the conflict going on in Germany, that the Hanoverian army, having been hemmed in by the Prussians, had been compelled to lay down their arms. Later in the day a paragraph, taken from the Moniteur, had been published to the effect that the Hanoverian army, having eluded the pursuit of the Prussians, had succeeded in reaching the territory of Meiningen. He wished to ask, Whether the Government had received any authentic information showing what amount of truth was contained in these contradictory statements? He might also take that opportunity of asking whether any official intelligence had reached the Government as to the results of the very considerable action which appeared to have been fought by the Austrians and Italians somewhere between the fortresses of Peschiera and Verona?
§ EARL RUSSELLwas understood to say that the Government had of course seen the statements published in the newspapers; but beyond these they were not in possession of any authentic or reliable information.