§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What negotiations, if any, have been entered into with the American Government for the purpose of obtaining a Maritime Treaty granting equal jurisdiction to the legal authorities of both Countries to deal with desertion and all other offences, whether committed on board ship on the high seas, in port, or on shore?
§ VISCOUNT ENFIELDsaid, there had been repeated negotiations with the Government of the United States on the subject of offences committed on the high seas in 1854, 1859, and 1869. The subject was one of much difficulty, as an Act of Parliament would be required conferring the necessary jurisdiction, and he did not expect the question could be properly dealt with during the present Session.