§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the statement of the Berliner Tageblatt is correct, that England has taken diplomatic action favourable to the renewal of the Triple Alliance; whether any communications have recently taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Italian Government, or with any Agent of the Italian Government, or with any other Foreign Government, or Agent of any other Foreign Government, in respect to the policy of England in the event of Italy being involved in war owing to her being a member of the Triple Alliance; and, if so, whether he will communicate them to the House; and whether Her Majesty's Government is aware of the terms of the Triple Alliance, and will, if so, communicate them to the House?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONHer Majesty's Government having no part in the Triple Alliance have taken no part in connection with it. I can add nothing to the statements already made in regard to our foreign engagements. The hon. Gentleman can hardly be serious in suggesting that Her Majesty's Government should communicate to the House any matter which could only have become known to them confidentially, and which the Governments concerned have not thought fit to publish.