§ MR. P. J. SMYTHasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he is in a position to make a communication to the House respecting matters in dispute between this Country and the Republic of Nicaragua, and the steps that have been taken to effect an arrangement?
§ MR. BOURKESir, if it were possible within the limits to an answer to a Question in the House to make a statement respecting the matter in dispute between this country and Nicaragua, I should be very glad to do so; but the matter involves a long history, spreading over a period of about 20 years. I am happy, however, to tell the hon. Member what I think, under the circumstances, will be considered sufficient for the present—namely, that all the matters in dispute have been referred to a neutral Government, and Austria and Holland have been asked to arbitrate on the matter. Both parties have agreed to abide by the award of the Austrian Government, which has accepted the 721 officer of mediator. That arbitration will go on almost immediately. The Papers cannot be laid on the Table of the House until after the arbitration is concluded.