§ On the Motion for adjournment,
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I should like to get some assurance from the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs as regards the cession of Heligoland to Germany. Are we to understand that a Bill will be brought in soon to effect this very desirable purpose, which I may mention I brought under the notice of the House four years ago? I then advocated the cession strongly, but received a most direct snub from the present Administration for my interference: A similar answer was given here a few days since, but I have great pleasure at finding that Lord Salisbury has adopted my proposal.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY or STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.It is stated in the Despatch from Lord Salisbury, a copy of which is in the hands of hon. Members, that a Bill will be presented for the purpose. When that Bill will be brought in is a question that should be addressed to the Leader of the House, not to me.
§ DR. TANNERAre we to understand also that Gibraltar will be given up to Spain?
§ MR. BUCHANAN (Edinburgh, W.)When will the Despatch and other Papers in relation to these arrangements be circulated?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONTwo hundred copies of the despatch have been sent to the Vote Office, and have been distributed, and every hon. Member will shortly receive a copy. I can say nothing about further papers.
§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I presume that is the Despatch which appeared in the newspapers this morning?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONYes; a number of copies were in the Vote Office last night.
§ House adjourned at a quarter before Six o'clock.