§ MR. MACFIEsaid, he wished to put a Question to the First Lord of the Treasury, of which he had given him private notice. It was, Whether a certain statement made in an evening paper was correct? The readers of that journal were informed, minute particulars being given, that the Pope was about to take up his residence on a Scottish island. The writer added—
I am further informed that Mr. Gladstone has been sounded privately on the subject, and has expressed himself favourable to the residence of His Holiness in the British Islands under certain conditions and stipulations.
MR. GLADSTONESir, on receiving the notice which my hon. Friend kindly gave me I ventured to suggest in a note to him that I thought the exigencies of this case of a local report might be met by a local contradiction; but as he has thought it necessary to raise the question in the House, and as great interest is taken in all matters relating to a change of residence on the part of the Pope, I beg to assure him there is not the slightest shadow of a foundation for the statement.
§ MR. MACFIEsaid, he had not received the letter which the right hon. Gentleman had been kind enough to send.