§ MR. PULESTONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is now able to give any further information as to our relations 426 with Mexico; whether he can confirm the report that diplomatic relations have been resumed; and, whether a Treaty has been agreed upon; and, if so, whether he can now give the text of it or its main features to the House?
§ MR. SHERIDANasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will be able to lay upon the Table of the House the Papers relating to the restoration of Diplomatic Communication with Mexico, and those referring to the proposed Commercial Treaty between Her Majesty's Government and Mexico?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI have great pleasure in being able to confirm the news that diplomatic relations have been renewed with Mexico. The difficult and long-pending negotiations on the subject were conducted in the most friendly spirit, and resulted in the signature, on the 7th instant, of a preliminary Agreement providing for the most-favoured-nation treatment for a fixed term of years pending the conclusion of a new Treaty of Commerce and Navigation which Her Majesty's Government have reason to hope will speedily be concluded. In regard to the Papers asked for by the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Sheridan), the Agreement will be laid as soon as the text is received from Sir Spenser St. John. Mr. Carden's Commercial Report, a document of great importance in connection with the projected Treaty, has already been laid (Commercial, No. 36, 1883). It may be possible to lay further Papers; but I cannot at present give any definite pledge.