§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in August last the Governor of Newfoundland, speaking at Bay of Islands, informed his hearers that negotiations were going on between Great Britain and France from which he anticipated a speedy solution of the Treaty Shore problem; whether any such negotiations were then taking place; whether any solution of the questions at issue is expected before the commencement of the fishing season; whether, in the Speech from the Throne, the Governor of Newfoundland, at the close of the session of 1899, mentioned the fact that no legislation had been asked for for the continuance of previous arrangements; whether such legislation has now been asked for or offered, and in what position it stands; and whether, any portion of the report of the Commission on the exercise of French Treaty rights will be laid before Parliament.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have seen a press report to the effect stated in the first part of the question, but the Governor's statement must have been misunderstood. No negotiations were then or are now proceeding with France on the Treaty Shore question. The Governor did state in his speech at the closing of the session in July last that no legislation had been asked for, but Her Majesty's Government have since requested the Colonial Government to obtain a renewal of the Treaties Act. It is not intended to lay any portion of the report at present.