§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Spanish Government have laid any Papers before the Cortes on questions under discussion between that Government and the Government of Her Majesty; whether Her Majesty's Government was consulted before such Papers were laid before the Cortes; and, whether translations of those Papers can be presented to Parliament?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEYes, Sir; Papers have been presented to the Spanish Cortes on questions which have been under discussion between Her Majesty's Government and that of Spain. Those relating to the commercial negotiations have already been presented to Parliament. Her Majesty's Government were not consulted before the Correspondence was laid before the Cortes. It would not be in accordance with the usual practice to present translations of foreign Parliamentary Papers; but there will be no objection to lay before Parliament the Correspondence relating to Gibraltar which has passed between the two Governments. I may point out that this Correspondence does not relate to the supposed demand of Spain, and consequent arbitration, raised in the Question put to me.