MR. RICARDOsaid, he wished to ask the hon. Under Secretary for the Colonies whether the regulations, by which vessels arriving at Gibraltar from Great Britain are placed in quarantine, are the independent act of the Governor, or in pursuance of instructions from the British Government; and whether he would lay on the table any correspondence which might have taken place on the subject either between the Governor of Gibraltar and the Spanish Government, or between the English and Spanish Governments, or between the British Government and the Governor of Gibraltar?
§ MR. FREDERICK PEELsaid, that the regulations to which the hon. Gentleman referred were not imposed by either the Governor of Gibraltar or the Government of this country, but by the Board of Health, consisting of several persons in Gibraltar acting under an Order in Council; and the reason was that Spain had placed Gibraltar in quarantine because Gibraltar would not place England in quarantine. This state of things continued for some time, to the great inconvenience of the inhabitants, who suffered severely by the want of provisions, and to afford temporary relief the Board of Health did place this country in quarantine. A person, however, had been appointed to inquire into the circumstances and to report thereon. As to the papers asked for, the hon. Gentleman could have them whenever he liked to move for them.