§ MR. WISEsaid, he would beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the £2,000 advanced from the Fund for Civil Contingencies on account of the purchase of a Chapel in Paris has been repaid, and what course Her Majesty's Government has taken with reference to the decision of the House of Commons declining to confirm the contract made by the British Ambassador; whether it is true that certain British residents at Paris have offered to purchase the said Chapel, and that Her Majesty's Government have declined to resign the purchase condemned by the vote of a large majority last Session.
THE CHANCELLOR or THE EXCHE QUERsaid, in reply, that no offer had 861 been made to the Ambassador at Paris which would completely exonerate the British Government from the liability which it had incurred in this matter. An offer had been made which would have that effect if a condition were complied with which it was within the discretion of the French Government to grant. The matter had been under the consideration of the French Government, but he understood that there were some legal difficulties in the way. Her Majesty's Government, however, had received a favourable answer, and he did not doubt that the affair would be satisfactorily arranged.