§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a Question of which I have given him private Notice, If he can inform the House whether an answer has been sent to Prince Gortchakoff's Circular to the different Powers at the time of the declaration of war; and, if so, whether he can lay it on the Table of the House?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, an answer has been sent to Prince Gortchakoff's Circular, and it will be laid on the Table. I believe that it is not in accordance with the usages of diplomacy to lay a communication of that kind before Parliament or the public until it has been received by the Power to which it has been addressed. We shall know by telegram when it has been received, and then it will be laid on the Table of the House without delay. I presume it will be at the beginning of the week.