HC Deb 11 June 1863 vol 171 cc700-1
MR. CLAY

said, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government have been officially informed that the Commissioners appointed by the Argentine Government to settle British claims with Mr. Doria refused to acknowledge as conclusive that which had been accepted by Mr. Thornton, Her Majesty's Minister, and the former Commissioners; that Mr. Doria has, in consequence, suspended his sitting with the Commissioners; and, if so, what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government in this matter?

MR. LAYARD

said, in reply, that it was true that the Commissioners recently appointed by the new Government of the Argentine Republic had refused to acknowledge the principle upon which claims bad been settled by a previous Government. In consequence of this refusal, Mr. Doria declined to concur in the sitting of the Commissioners. Her Majesty's Government had instructed Mr. Doria to inform the Government of the Argentine Republic that their proceedings in this case were contrary to international usage, and, if persevered in, might lead to serious consequences, He (Mr. Layard) trusted that they would see the propriety of taking such steps as would allow the Commissioners to resume their sitting.