HC Deb 14 March 1893 vol 10 cc27-8
MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can explain why a Copy of the Bill relative to the Newfoundland coast and fisheries, under the title of "The Fishery Treaties Act, 1892," and which is published in the French Yellow Book for 1892 and laid before the French Chambers, has not yet been laid before this House; whether the Bill in question was rejected by the Newfoundland Legislature; whether he will now lay upon the Table a copy of that Bill and of the Correspondence concerning it, together with the Report thereon of the Joint Committee of both Houses of the Newfoundland Legislature; and whether, as a matter of fact, the Newfoundland Legislature have objected to the court proposed by that Bill to be erected, and to the absence of any provision for compensation in case of losses arising from any arbitration award, and that it has protested against any partial arbitration with France on the lobster question alone, until arbitration regarding all questions arising under the various matters regarding Newfoundland be agreed upon?

SIR E. GREY

I would ask the lion. Member to be good enough to postpone this question until Thursday, when an answer will be given.