HC Deb 08 May 1884 vol 287 cc1699-700
MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the declaration of Lord Granville, in his Despatches of 15th March and 1st June 1883, that a merely dual arrangement between Great Britain and Portugal would be futile, Her Majesty's Government will defer asking this House to express an opinion on the Treaty of 26th February 1884, until it can put this House in possession of the steps taken to obtain the concurrence of the other Powers interested?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Her Majesty's Government are in communication with the Government of Portugal as to the best means of obtaining the acceptance of the Congo Treaty by other Powers; and, until they are in a position to give to the House some further information on this subject, they feel that a discussion, as my hon. Friend suggests, would be premature. Under these circumstances, I would appeal to my hon. Friend the Member for Wenlock not to proceed with his Motion at present.

MR. A. H. BROWN

In view of the appeal of the noble Lord, I cannot proceed with the Motion which stands in my name.

MR. JACOB BRIGHT

asked the Prime Minister, whether the House could be assured that the Treaty would not be ratified until the House had had an opportunity of discussing it?

MR. GLADSTONE

The original engagement will be adhered to. We shall be careful to inform the House when the communications referred to by my noble Friend have been brought to a conclusion.