§ MR. H. B. SHERIDANasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received any information to the effect (as stated in the Daily Papers) that the Mexican Government has lately given to a Company, called "The Mexican National Railway," a charge on the Customs Duties of Mexico, part of which duties being already assigned and pledged to the English holders of the "Consolidated Debt of Mexico," whilst the whole of such revenues became chargeable (by the terms of the bond) when default was made in payment of interest; whether the arrears now due to the English bondholders amount to four millions sterling; and, whether, if such statement is correct, any steps can be taken by Her Majesty's Government to protect the English bondholders against the re-pledging in England by Foreign States, or their agents, of this already hypothecated and dishonoured security?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, with regard to the first portion of this Question, no such information has reached Her Majesty's Government except that received this day from the hon. Member himself. Her Majesty's Government are not aware of the exact sum of the arrears, but have no reason to suppose the hon. Member is misinformed. The hon. Member is aware that diplomatic relations between this country and Mexico are still suspended.