§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position of the negotiations that have been pending with the French Government relating to the question of the rights of French fishermen on the coast of Newfoundland: and whether it is intended to present to Parliament any Papers relating to the subject?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONNegotiations are in progress for the settlement of the question in difference between the two Governments relating to the rights under Treaty, and I hope that a modus vivendi will be arranged to subsist during the approaching season in case that no conclusion shall have been arrived at. It would not be conducive to the public interest that Papers should be presented at this stage.