§ MR. ANDERSONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any final reply has been received from the King of Portugal persisting in his refusal of International Arbitration in respect of the wrong done to British subjects by the Portuguese Law Courts, in the "City of Mecca" collision case; and what further steps Her Majesty's Government intend to take to obtain redress, and to vindicate the International Sailing Code to which both those Countries had bound themselves?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI regret to state that the Portuguese Government have definitely refused arbitration in this case, and the final Notes will be laid before Parliament. Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to state what further course they will take.
§ MR. ANDERSONIn consequence of the answer just given, I beg to give Notice that on the earliest opportunity I shall call the attention of the House to the circumstances under which the King of Portugal has refused either to give redress or to agree to arbitration as to the wrongs done to British subjects by the Portuguese Law Courts, and the failure of Her Majesty's Government to obtain redress, and will move a Resolution.