§ On the Motion that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House on the Reform of Parliament (England) Bill,
The Marquis of Chandosrose to ask if the Government had in their possession a copy of a letter addressed by the king of Belgium to the king of the French, requiring assistance in consequence of the Dutch having violated the armistice; and if Government had a copy of this letter, he desired to know whether there would be any objection to lay it before the House? If this, however, were objected to, he begged to ask for a copy of the letter addressed to the English Government by the king of Belgium, upon the same occasion.
§ Lord Althorpcould not lay a copy of the letter to the king of the French before the House, as it was a document in which officially this Government had no share. 160 If the noble Marquis wished for a copy of the letter to the English Government, he should wish the noble Marquis to give notice of a motion for its production.
§ Lord Stormontexpressed his regret at the necessary absence of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, as he was desirous of asking him some questions. In his absence he would put them to the noble Lord, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The noble Secretary for Foreign Affairs, on a former occasion, stated, that the French troops had marched into Belgium at the request of King Leopold, and that as soon as the Dutch had repassed the frontiers of Belgium, the French troops would withdraw. He now asked whether Government had received any communication that the French troops were about to withdraw, or intended to withdraw? And if they did intend to withdraw, he desired to know how soon? And if they did not intend to withdraw, he asked the noble Lord to state whether this Government would consider the French troops occupying the Belgian fortresses as the troops of the Conference or the troops of France alone?
§ Lord Althorpregretted, that he could not give a distinct answer to the several questions of the noble Lord. Considering the important consequences that might ensue, the most prudent course he could take was to decline answering any of the noble Lord's questions.
§ Lord Stormontsaid, perhaps the noble Lord would not decline stating whether the French troops intended to withdraw from Belgium?
§ Lord Althorpcould not speak as to intentions.
§ Lord Stormontasked if the Government had received official information of the intentions of the French.
§ Lord Althorpdeclined to answer the question.
§ Lord Stormontsaid, this was perfectly satisfactory to him.