§ SIR W. HARCOURTasked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he could make a statement as to the present position of the negotiations relating to the arbitration on the Venezuelan Boundary; whether the difficulties which appeared to have arisen had been removed by the recent proposal of the Government of the United States in the Dispatch of June 12; and, whether there was a definite prospect of a speedy arrangement of the terms of arbitration?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe latest proposals of Mr. Olney are still under consideration by the Government, and are regarded by them as opening the way to an equitable settlement. ["Hear, hear!"] The Government have every expectation that the pending negotiations will lead to an early and satisfactory result. [Cheers.]
§ SIR W. HARCOURTUpon that statement, which I think the House will regard as eminently satisfactory, I wish to ask this further Question. There is a very useful Motion upon the Paper today with reference to Parliamentary Papers, providing that Command Papers may be delivered during the Recess, and I wish to know whether, considering 852 the anxiety which is felt on this subject throughout the country, the negotiations, as soon as they have assumed a shape which admits of their being communicated to the public, will be so communicated by the method provided in the right hon. Gentleman's Motion?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYYes. It is the desire of the Government to communicate Papers upon this subject, under the Rule which is now on the Paper of the House, as soon as that course is consistent with the public interest.