§ MR. JACOB BRIGHTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in view of the paralysis of trade caused by the prospect of the Congo Treaty, the steamer which left Liverpool on Wednesday last having only a few tons of cargo instead of many hundred tons, he will inform the House when he can relieve merchants from the 666 existing painful state of suspense, and give some definite information to the Country?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI must refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Salford (Mr. Arthur Arnold) on the 9th instant, when I stated that 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 that meanwhile I am unable to make any further communication to the House.
§ SIR HERBERT MAXWELLasked whether the noble Lord would use his influence with the Prime Minister to secure an early discussion of this subject?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, he had no control over the arrangements of the House.