§ MR. MAGNIACasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Letter No. 31 in the Suez Canal Papers is the only Letter written by the Government to M. de Lesseps or the British Directors, referring to the Agreement with the Shipowners' Association; if there is another, if he will explain why it has not been printed, and why a Letter M. de Lesseps states that he wrote to the Government, objecting to a communication from them, has not been printed; and, whether the communication objected to is the Letter No. 31; and, if not, what letter is it?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe Papers already laid on the Table contain, as has been stated by the Prime Minister, full particulars relative to the recent Agreement. Certain confidential communications passed on the subject between Her Majesty's Government and the British Directors; but it is not desirable that these should be published. No despatches have been addressed to M. de Lesseps, or by him to us.
§ MR. MAGNIACDoes that mean that a letter which was partially published in Paris will not be laid before the House?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI have stated that everything which can be shall be laid on the Table, so as to give full and authentic particulars.
§ MR. MAGNIACDoes that mean all the documents that have passed either directly or indirectly between M. de Lesseps and the British Government.
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo private communication has passed between M. de Lesseps and the British Government. There were certain confidential communications which passed 1024 between the British Directors and Her Majesty's Government, and these will not be laid on the Table. Everything has been laid that can be laid.