§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he had seen a statement that negotia- 1030 tions were either resumed, or about to be resumed, between England and France with reference to the Commercial Treaty. He should like to get some information from the Government on the subject as to the correctness or otherwise of the statement.
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEreplied, that no instructions had been given to Lord Lyons, and that there had been no re-opening or resumption of negotiations. But a desire had been shown on the part of certain Representative Bodies in France that negotiations [should be resumed, and it was possible that some conversation might have been held on the subject; but no instructions had been given.