MR. RYDERasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether Her Majesty's Government will inquire of the Government of the United States whether it is the intention of that Government to pay the interest on the funded loans in gold coin, in accordance with the terms upon which those loans wore issued, or whether the obligation to pay in gold coin is considered by that Government to be cancelled by the Bland Silver Act; and, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government, if invited by the Government of the United States, to send a Representative to the International Conference proposed by the Bland Silver Act to be held for the purpose of establishing a fixity of relative value between gold and silver?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, Her Majesty's Government have not felt called upon to make the inquiry suggested by the hon. Gentleman of the Government of the United States. It would, perhaps, be hardly courteous to make an inquiry whether they intended to fulfil their obligations. With regard to the second part of the Question, Her Majesty's Government have not received any invitation to send a Representative to the International Conference. Her Majesty's Government cannot say beforehand what they might do until they receive such an invitation, and are informed in what way the Conference is to be composed.