§ MR. SELWINsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any communication has been made by the Foreign Office to the representatives in this country of the Spanish Government, as well as to those of Chili and Peru, with reference to any vessels of war which their respective Governments may be building in English yards; and, further, what replies, if any, have been received?
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, in reply, that Her Majesty's Government had been in constant communication with the Ministers and agents of the Governments of Chili, Spain, and Peru with regard to any vessels of war that might be constructing for them in England, and had been assured by them that no such vessels should leave England during the continuance of the war. Her Majesty's Government had every reason to believe that no such armed vessels of war had left England since the war broke out. He might state that the Chilian Minister had of his own accord addressed a written assurance to Her Majesty's Government that no vessel of war now building should be allowed to leave England during the continuance of the war, and that the intention of Chili was to conform entirely to the law of this country.