HC Deb 08 April 1867 vol 186 cc1267-8
MR. OSBORNE

said, he rose to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If any official communication has been received by telegram or despatch from Her Majesty's Minister at Madrid relative to the seizure of the vessel Queen Victoria by the Spanish authorities; and, if the Spanish Government has complied with the terms demanded by the Foreign Secretary in his letter to Sir John Crampton of 30th March 1867?

LORD STANLEY

No, Sir; I have not received the answer of the Spanish Government.

MR. DARBY GRIFFITH

said, with reference to the answer which had just been given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, he would beg to ask, whether it is true that the Mediter- ranean squadron has proceeded with sealed instructions, it is to be presumed, to the coast of Spain?

LORD STANLEY

If the hon. Gentleman had asked me what were the orders given to particular vessels in the Mediterranean, I do not know that it would be my duty to answer him. I will only state that Gibraltar, being within the ordinary cruising-ground of the Mediterranean squadron, there is nothing unusual in the fact of one or two vessels being sent there.