§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to state that the General Order of the Brussels Anti-Slavery Congress will be finally ratified in July next?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONIt is impossible at present to anticipate the effects of the recent adverse Vote of the French Chamber. Speaking from memory, I should say that about 10 of the Powers represented at Brussels have ratified. The ratifications of at least five more are on their way. There are only two or three doubtful. There is to be an early meeting of the Representatives of the Powers at Brussels to consider the question.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONAssuming that the two Powers in question do not ratify the General Order, will it fall to the ground?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI cannot give an answer to that question at present.