§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign. Affairs if his attention has been called to an article in the May Fortnighly Review on the relations between Sweden and Norway, purporting to be signed by Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Stockholm, containing an attack on the late Norwegian Ministry and on the present Liberal majority in the Norwegian Störthing; whether it is admissible for British Consuls to take part in public controversies affecting the internal politics of the countries to which 1709 they are accredited; is there any precedent for a Consul in his position writing such an article; have the Government any information tending to confirm their Consul's allegation that the Norwegian Liberal Party have entered into negotiations with Russia to obtain separation, and offered the Varanger Fjord as the price to be paid for Russain help; is there any foundation for his assertion that Russia has, with the permission of Norway, constructed a railway which connects Russia with the eastern margin of the Fjord, and when this line was made; and is he aware that the organ of the Norwegian Parliamentary majority (the Wardens Gang) in its issue of 4th May complained of such misstatements being circulated in England over the name of a British Consular official.
§ SIR E. GREYI have seen the article in question. The publication of such an article by one of Her Majesty's Consuls on political questions affecting the country in which he resides is unusual and undesirable. Her Majesty's Government have no information to give as to alleged negotiations between the Norwegian Liberal Party and the Russian Government. They have no knowledge of the construction of such a railway as is described. I have seen the statement in the Werdens Gang.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYMay I ask what notice will be taken of the article in question, and whether the gentleman responsible will be called upon to apologise for his statements or misstatements?
§ SIR E. GREYThe Consul will be told that the publication of an article of this kind affecting political questions in the country in which he resides is an indiscretion which must not be repeated.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWill he be asked to make an apology to the people he has belied?
§ SIR E. GREYNo apology has been asked for.
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N. E.)May I ask whether inquiry cannot be made of Her Majesty's Representative whether such a railway is being made?
§ SIR E. GREYWe have no knowledge of such a railway being made.