§ MR. MUNRO FERGUSON (Leith)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information in regard to the progress of negotiations with the United States of America on the subject of the exclusive right of seal fishing in and about t tie Behring Sea; and whether this House would have an opportunity of discussing the question before any such right of exclusive fishing be conceded by Her Majesty's Government?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONNegotiations are in progress at Washington, but it would be premature at present to make any statement in regard to them. Her Majesty's Government cannot give any pledge that they will on this occasion depart from the usual practice in regard to negotiating Treaties with foreign countries, but they will not fail to communicate to the House such information as can be given without detriment to the public interests.