§ MR. LIDDELLsaid, he rose to ask, When the Papers on China, which have been so long promised, will be presented to the House; and also whether the noble Lord at the head of the Government will feel disposed to give the House an opportunity of discussing these very important Papers? Judging from the Papers already presented, the House will probably feel it their duty to ask for further inquiry.
§ MR. LAYARDstated, in reply, that the Chinese Papers were in a very advanced state of preparation, and would, he hoped, shortly be laid on the table of the House. In the absence of the noble Lord at the head of the Government, however, he could not say when an opportunity would be afforded of discussing them.
§ Afterwards—
§ MR. LIDDELLsaid, he would beg to 1544 ask the noble Lord at the head of the Government, Whether he will be disposed to grant any facility for the discussion of the important Correspondence relative to China?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONreplied, that it was too early in the Session for the Government to give a day for the discussion of the Papers relating to China, as other opportunities before the end of the Session would present themselves for any debates that might be desired on the subject.