HC Deb 28 April 1898 vol 56 cc1401-2
SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any progress has been made with the negotiations for the settlement of the Alaskan frontier with the United States, a question which has been left unsettled by the Foreign Office for over 30 years?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

The question is now under discussion with the United States Government. As I think my right honourable Friend the Secretary for the Colonies has stated, there is reason to believe a modus rivendi will be agreed upon pending a definite settlement.

SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

May I ask if the Foreign Office will endeavour to get this very important Question settled as promptly as possible?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Of course we are quite alive to the extreme importance of the Question, and are anxious to bring it to an end.