§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now inform the House what is the precise position of matters at Delagoa Bay as between the Railway Company and the Portuguese Government; and what representations Her Majesty's Government has addressed to the Government of Portugal with regard to their action?
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLI beg also to ask whether the claimants under the Delagoa Railway Company's concessions have now objected to arbitration in terms of the concessions, and claimed the diplomatic interference of the British Government to support their alleged rights in preference to such arbitration?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONThe precise position at Delagoa Bay is that the Portuguese Authorities have seized and entered upon possession of the railway on the ground that, by non-fulfilment of their contract, the Company has forfeited its concession. Her Majesty's Government have made no representations beyond what I stated to the House on the 1st instant—namely, that if it shall appear that the Portuguese Government have acted with injustice, resulting in loss to British subjects, they will be held responsible for such loss. In answer to the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Sir G. Campbell), I have to say that Her Majesty's Government are not aware that the question of arbitration has reached a stage in which it can be said to have been accepted or declined by either party to the dispute.
§ MR. BRYCEI do not wish to press for any answer which it is undesirable to give; but can the right hon. Gentleman state what reply has been received to the representations made by Her Majesty's Government to Portugal?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONNo positive answer has up to the present time been received; but Portugal has, of course, disclaimed any intention to inflict injustice.
§ SIR G. CAMPBELLIs not our acting Vice Consul at Delagoa Bay also the railway agent?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONreplied in the affirmative.