§ MR. JOHN BRIGHTSir, I want to put a Question to the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer, because to-morrow the House is about to rise for nearly a fortnight. The House is perfectly well aware that there is great anxiety in the public mind with respect to the present state of what may be termed our foreign relations. That is a question which has occupied the mind of the House a great deal more than it has occupied our tongues for some time past. We know what the newspapers say; but people in the secret say the newspapers do not know anything about it. There is great anxiety amongst all the trading classes of the country, particularly with regard to what is likely to happen. I do not want to press the Government to do anything which they do not feel to be right; but it seems to me that before the House rises, if the Chancellor of the Exchequer could explain to-morrow what is the present state of the negotiations, if there be any negotiations, in fact; or if he can tell the House anything on the subject which can in some degree allay the anxiety which prevails, he would be doing the country great service, and I think the House would be glad to hear any communication he could make on behalf of the Government.
Question put, and agreed to.
Committee deferred till To-morrow, at Two of the clock.