§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Foreign Office has in its possession a Copy of the Commercial Treaty between France and Italy now waiting ratification by the Italian Parliament, and also a Copy of the new Italian Tariff; if so, whether he is prepared to lay these documents upon the table of the House; and, if not, whether he is aware that several days ago these documents were laid upon the table of the Italian Chambers by the Italian Minister?
§ MR. LAYARD, in reply, said, the Commercial Treaty between France and Italy, as soon as it was ratified by the Italian Chambers, would be communicated to Her Majesty's Government, and by them be laid before Parliament at the earliest practicable moment. Her Majesty's Government had recently received a confidential communication with regard to the Treaty, but it was not of a nature which could be communicated to the House.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, he must remind his hon. Friend that he had not answered the latter part of the Question.
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, there was no doubt that the Treaty had lain for some days on the table of the Italian Chamber, awaiting ratification.