HC Deb 07 August 1884 vol 292 cc117-8
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is a fact that the Representatives of Russia, Germany, and Austria, declined to give any opinion upon the differences between the French and English Governments; whether the Plenipotentiaries of those Powers expressed their willingness to support M. Waddington in his proposal to adjourn the Conference till October the 20th; and, whether Lord Granville, as President, declined to allow the Conference to vote upon this and other questions, and himself, proprio motu, declared the Conference adjourned sine die?

MR. GLADSTONE

I do not know whether the hon. Member has seen the Protocols, which were published and circulated some days ago in French. They will be circulated in English this evening, and they contain all the information which the hon. Member seeks.

MR. ASHMEAD - BARTLETT

I have seen the Protocols, and I would ask the right hon. Gentleman to be so good as to point out the portions in which there is any evidence to show that the Representatives of Russia, Germany, and Austria declined to give any opinion on the differences between the French and English Governments. I have been unable to find it.

MR. GLADSTONE

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman has been so unfortunate. He is the only person I have heard of who is in that position. Here is my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was himself one of the Plenipotentiaries, and who is ready to support me when I state that, according to our appreciation of the matter, it is fully explained in the Protocols.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman gives his assent to the last two paragraphs of the Question?

MR. GLADSTONE

I have disposed of the last paragraph but one. As to the last paragraph, I do not know whether it is stated in the Protocols that Earl Granville made statements proprio motu; but I believe that they were as much proprio motu as those of any of the other Plenipotentiaries.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

Were the Protocols verbatim reports of the speeches delivered?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

The Protocols in this case follow the ordinary rule.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

Are they précis or verbatim?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

I believe they are précis, except the portions given between inverted commas.