§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any steps have yet been taken, as proposed by Lord Granville in March 1881, for the purpose of establishing, in concert with the Government of the United States, such regulations for the coast fisheries of Newfoundland as may in future prevent misunderstandings between the Newfoundland and the United States fishermen; and, whether the sum of £15,000, agreed upon and paid by Her Majesty's Government in June 1881, as compen- 378 sation for acts of violence committed by Newfoundland fishermen against the United States fishermen in Fortune Bay, and other places, has been repaid by the Colonial Government; and, if not, why a Vote for that amount has not been submitted to Parliament?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThere has been correspondence between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government with respect to the matter raised by the Question; but no understanding has been yet arrived at as to the regulations. I believe the last despatch was in July. As to the second part of the Question, the Newfoundland Government has not yet repaid the sum advanced by Her Majesty's Government as compensation for the acts referred to, and it has been requested to propose a Vote for the amount in the approaching Session of the Newfoundland Parliament. As Her Majesty's Government hope that this amount will be shortly repaid and brought to account they have not submitted to Parliament any Vote to make provision for it.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHasked whether the Newfoundland Government had agreed to propose a Vote for the amount?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYsaid, the Newfoundland Government had agreed to propose the Vote when the Parliament met again in February.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHasked when Papers would be laid on the Table?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYsaid, he did not suppose Papers would be ready yet.