HC Deb 01 April 1867 vol 186 c909
MR. SANDFORD

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he has received any information of the sale of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Emperor of the French?

LORD STANLEY

Sir in the course of this morning I received from the Hague a despatch containing a translation of a notice which appeared in the official organ of the Government of Holland. It is to this effect:—"We are requested by the Luxembourg Chancellerie to contradict most positively the report that a cession of the Grand Duchy has taken place." I apprehend there can be no doubt that communications have passed between the Governments of France and of Holland with reference to the possible transfer of that territory; but as to the result of those communications, I am not in a position to give any information to the House, not knowing what has happened.