§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI wish to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a Question of which I have given him private Notice. It has been publicly stated in an influential French newspaper, and, I believe, it has been published in an English newspaper also, that the French Government have proposed to our Government a prolongation of the Commercial Treaty for six months. This is a matter of intense interest and importance, and I should be glad to know, Whether the hon. Gentleman can give the House any information on the subject?
§ MR. BOURKEYes, Sir; the French Government have suggested that this Treaty should be prolonged for the period of six months, and Her Majesty's Government have acceded to that suggestion. Communications are passing between Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris and the French Government as to the precise terms in which the agreement should be made.
§ MR. BOURKEFrom the date of the expiration of the present Treaty, which, I think, will be at the end of the year.