THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, before the House proceeds to the Orders of the Day I should like to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before the rising of the House, he will be able to give any answer to the Question of which informal Notice was given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham (Mr. Bright)? My right hon. Friend asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would be in a position before the rising of the House to give any information affecting the progress of the negotiations? I need hardly say if he can give us any information it will be received with satisfaction by the House.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI can easily understand that 568 the House is anxious before separating for the holidays to receive every information which can be given. I regret I am not able to say much; but I may simply say this—As the House is aware, negotiations have for some time been going on between the Great Powers with regard to the course that should be pursued with respect to the affairs of the East. I mentioned to the House some time ago that the Government of Russia had proposed the signature of a Protocol, and that discussion was then going on as to the precise language of that Protocol. The language of the Protocol has not been finally settled; it is still under consideration. But at the present moment the question which is under consideration is rather as to the precise conditions under which the Protocol shall be signed. I hope that before the House re-assembles we may be in a more advanced position and be able to make a much more satisfactory statement than I am able to make at present. The matter is still under consideration and under negotiation.