§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he will lay upon the Table a Copy of the Resolution of the Council of the Suez Canal Company, to which the English Directors gave their approval, in reference to the letter addressed on the 20th July by M. de Lesseps to Mr. Gladstone, together with any Report in explanation thereof furnished by the Directors to Her Majesty's Government?
MR. GLADSTONEI daresay the hon. Member is aware that there was a general understanding—I do not know the date of it exactly—that, as a general rule, the proceedings of the Council should not be made public. The reason is that it is a managing Board of a purely commercial speculation; but, on special occasions, their proceedings may be made public. We have not received the minutes of the meeting to which the Question refers; but we will inquire, and ascertain whether there would be any objection to produce the text. I cannot, of course, under these circumstances, give any pledge as to the communication of the managing Board.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFsaid, he had asked whether any Report had been received from the English Directors; and, if so, whether it would be laid on the Table?
MR. GLADSTONEI beg pardon. We have a letter from the English Directors; but I do not think it is desirable to produce it. They are our agents, and the communication may, I think, be regarded as confidential.