§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the jurists appointed more than six years ago to adjudicate on the claims of the bondholders and others in connection with the Delagoa Bay Railway have come to any decision; whether he will now state the real cause of delay; and, whether any representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government regarding the intolerable procrastination in coming to a decision, and to the loss and misery caused thereby to the parties interested.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportThe Award of the Arbitrators in the case of the Delagoa Bay Railway 825 has not yet been given. The Court will meet at Berne on the 24th instant to commence the discussions preliminary to a decision, which, it is believed, will not be much longer delayed. The proceedings have been prolonged in consequence of the voluminous documents which have been laid before the Tribunal and the necessary preparation of translations. There has been no procrastination on the part of the Arbitrators. The delays which have taken place have been agreed to by all the parties concerned. Her Majesty's Government cannot interfere with the proceedings of the Tribunal.