§ MR. W. E. FORSTERIn the absence of my noble Friend (the Marquess of Hartington) I wish to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is probable that any further Papers relating to affairs in Turkey will be laid upon the Table in time to be considered by the House before the Easter Recess? I will also take this opportunity of asking the right hon. Baronet, whether he can give the House any information as to the present position of the negotiations?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERII am informed that Papers are in preparation, but that it is not likely that they can be laid on the Table in less than a fortnight. Therefore, there will not be time for their consideration before the Easter Recess. I do not know that I have anything to tell the House or the right hon. Gentleman with regard to the negotiations beyond what was stated by my noble Friend Lord Derby in "another place" yesterday evening. My noble Friend said that some amendments had been proposed by the Russian Government in the draft Protocol. Those amendments have just been communicated to Her Majesty's Government, but we have not yet had time to consider them. They will, however, be considered immediately.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI beg to ask whether, in case the Protocol is assented to and signed, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will see any objection to laying it upon the Table of the House without waiting for all the other Papers to which he has referred?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIt will be more convenient if that Question is put on Thursday. My noble Friend Lord Derby is absent from town to-day, having gone down to Windsor; and I have, consequently, had no opportunity of communicating with him.