§ MR. DARBY GRIFFITHsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is the case that no redress has yet been afforded to the owners of the Quèen Victoria, and that they have neither received their Ship, which is still in the harbour of Cadiz, nor any compensation from the Spanish Government?
LORD STANLEYSir, the state of the case as regards the Queen Victoria is as follows:—The Spanish Government have expressed their willingness to grant compensation to the owners, and the only question now in dispute relates to the amount. I am bound to say that the claim made by the owners appears primâ facie to be somewhat excessive, and the Spanish Government have demurred to 642 it on that ground. The amount to be awarded is still under consideration. I have written more than once to urge that the affair should be brought to a speedy settlement, and I received a promise that it should be settled without any unreasonable delay.