MR. GORSTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Lord Granville did, prior to December 10th 1884 (as stated in a German White Book), express a wish to Count Munster that Prince Bismarck should receive Mr. Meade, Assistant Under Secretary for the Colonies, to a personal interview on Colonial matters; whether, as stated in a despatch of Count Minister to Prince Bismarck of the 5th of January, Lord Granville expressed his regret that the Prince did not consider Mr. Meade's proposals for the partition of the Western Pacific to be acceptable; whether Lord 836 Granville had previously intimated to the Secretary of State for the Colonies any intention of employing Mr. Meade for this purpose; and, whether any communications have subsequently taken place with the French Government in reference to the surrender of the New Hebrides to France as proposed by Mr. Meade?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICELord Granville suggested to Count Munster, for the first time, on December 10, that if Prince Bismarck were to see Mr. Meade, who had the confidence of Lord Derby and himself, he would obtain information as to questions which had been a source of correspondence, and that an interview might be the means of removing misunderstanding. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, I understand that Lord Granville expressed his regret that Prince Bismarck's conversations with Mr. Meade had led to no result. In reply to the last part, I may state that there have been no subsequent negotiations with the French Government; and Her Majesty's Government consider that the Agreement between this country and France respecting the New Hebrides is still in force.