§ SIR THOMAS BATESONasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of the Government to propose a Vote for the purchase of plate or other testimonial to be presented to the Swiss, Italian, and Brazilian Arbitrators in the Geneva Award; and, if so, whether he will state when that Vote will be proposed?
MR. GLADSTONESir, it is the intention of the Government to propose a Vote for the purpose of defraying the expense of the purchase of plate as pre- 501 sents or marks of acknowledgment to the three independent Arbitrators—the Swiss, the Italian, and the Brazilian—at Geneva, and that Vote will, of course, come before the House during the present Session. I cannot state at what time it will be proposed; but Notice will of course be given before the opinion of the House is taken upon it.
§ COLONEL STUART KNOXwished to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether any communications had passed between his Government and that of the United States in reference to the testimonial which was proposed to be given to the Arbitrators, for the ratepayers of the United Kingdom had a greater interest in this matter? ["Order."]