§ Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Main Question [14th June], "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ Question again proposed.
§ Debate resumed.
SIR R. WEBSTERsaid, he was very unwilling to interpose at this stage of the Bill, but he really should be glad if they could have some further explanation with regard to it from the Government. They would give him credit for interposing from any desire to cause them inconvenience. The Bill related to an arrangement made as between Russia and Great Britain, and as respected Russian waters, and it could not fail to have some effect on the position of matters as far as the United States was concerned. In the earlier part of the Session he had asked questions with regard to the progress of the negotiations as affecting the United States. He had no doubt Her Majesty's Government were desirous of bringing them to a conclusion as soon as they could. At the same time, it was extremely unsatisfactory that restrictions should be imposed upon British seamen in the navigation of the high seas. The Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs had told them it was necessary, in connection with the promotion of these schemes, to maintain the arrangement between Russia and Great Britain which expired some time last year. The House was absolutely ignorant of the facts. No papers had been produced, and he had assumed in favour of Her Majesty's Government that there were reasons why papers could not be produced. Before the House acceded to the Second Reading of a Bill which was to restrict the rights of British subjects in regard to fisheries on the high seas, they ought to have some explanation from Her Majesty's Government of the necessity for passing the Bill.
§ It being now midnight, the Debate stood adjourned.