§ SIR E. CLARKE (Plymouth)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present state of the negotiations with the Chilian Government for the appointment of a tribunal to arbitrate upon the claims of British subjects for compensation for losses sustained during the late war in Chili; and when the tribunal is likely to sit?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickThe ratifications of the Convention for the settlement of British claims against Chili were exchanged at Santiaga on Wednesday last, the 25th ultimo. The Commission is to consist of three members—namely, one to represent Great Britain, another to represent Chili, and the third to be neither a Chilian citizen nor a British subject. As the parties to the Convention have been unable to agree respecting the nomination of the third member, His Majesty the King of the Belgians, in accordance with a stipulation in the Convention, will be requested to name one. Claims must be presented within the term of six months from the date of the establishment of the Tribunal, which must commence its labours within six months from the date of the exchange of ratifications.
§ SIR E. CLARKECan the hon. Baronet state the names of the arbitrators already appointed?
§ SIR E. GREYNot at this moment.
MR. T. M. HEALYWhere will the Commission sit? May I further ask whether, in the terms of the Commission, the Government will be careful to see that British sailors shall obtain compensation for injuries received, even though they were serving at the time upon foreign ships?
§ SIR E. GREYI will inquire into the points raised. I am unable at the present moment to give a definite answer, as the ratifications have only just been exchanged.
MR. T. M. HEALYWill the House have an opportunity of seeing the terms of Reference before they are finally settled.
§ SIR E. GREYpromised to bear this in mind. At present we have no details before us.