§ MR. NEWDEGATEsaid, he wished to put a Question to the noble Lord the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to a Notice which stood in his name on the Paper—that Notice standing before the Notice given by the hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. Layard). He wished to ask, Whether the noble Lord will think proper to lay before the House the Papers referred to in these Notices?
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, that his notice was intended to include that of the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. Newdegate). It was with deep regret that he had given that notice. He should be glad if the noble Lord would answer the Question.
LORD STANLEYSir, I am glad that my hon. Friend (Mr. Newdegate) and the hon. Member (Mr. Layard) have taken the course of putting a Question to me, because I am bound to say in answer that on full consideration I do not think I can refuse 650 to give the Papers. One reason why I did not insert them in the blue book was because, in the first place, they relate to private quarrels and disputes, and have no reference to the general course of the Abyssinian negotiations; and, in the next place, I confess that I think it would have been just as well that the matter had been kept from public notice. As, however, the parties on both sides believe their characters to be affected by such disclosures as have been made, I do not see how Her Majesty's Government, who are in no way concerned, can refuse to produce the Papers. I would, however, make one suggestion to my hon. Friend. There are in the letter of Dr. Beke, for which he asks, some passages attacking persons not in England, which I think Dr. Beke would not desire to see in print, and I think these passages would be better withheld. I will consult with my hon. Friend on the matter, and, subject to that reservation only, I will give the Papers.
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, that the noble Lord had published in the blue book a despatch referring to that correspondence. He would appeal, therefore, to the noble Lord after what had occurred, and considering the opinion which the House had been led to form with regard to certain expressions, used by him (Mr. Layard) in debate, whether in his own justification he was not entitled to have the whole of that correspondence. If any part of the correspondence was proposed to be omitted, he would divide the House upon the propriety of such a course.
§ MR. NEWDEGATErose—
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, that it would not be convenient that a debate should take place on the subject merely on the putting of a Question.
§ MR. NEWDEGATEsaid, that the noble Lord had put a question to him, and he merely wished to say that he should be very happy to be guided in this matter by the noble Lord.