§ MR. SANDFORDasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the award of the Emperor of the French in the affairs of the Suez Canal has been definitely accepted; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government adhered to that award, and whether they will lay the papers relating to it upon the table of the House?
§ MR. LAYARDIn reply to the Question of my hon. Friend, I have to state that the award of the Emperor is not yet complete. Certain inquiries have yet to be made, aided by a Commission appointed by the Turkish, Egyptian, and French Governments, and the Suez Canal Company. Those Commissioners are engaged in their inquiries; and when those inquiries are completed, I shall be in a better position to speak on the subject.