§ MR. ANDERSONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 664 If it be the fact that a judgment of the Portuguese Courts has been given in direct violation of one of the rules of the International Sailing Code, to the serious injury of British subjects; and if it is true that Her Majesty's Government has demanded an International Arbitration, and that it has been refused; and, if he can yet say what steps Her Majesty's Government will take to vindicate the Code, and obtain reparation for the injury done; and, if that is not yet decided, if in the meantime he will lay the Papers upon the Table?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, the judgment of the Portuguese Courts in the case of the City of Mecca is not in harmony with the International Sailing Rules. It is true that the Portuguese Government have refused to submit the case to arbitration, as proposed by Her Majesty's Government. The Papers will be laid before the House as soon as they can conveniently be given; but the future action of the Government is a matter I cannot yet state to the House, because the reply lately received from the Portuguese Government has first to be considered in communication with the Law Officers of the Crown.