§ *MR. COURTNEYI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government has ratified the Convention for a pacific settlement of international disputes agreed to at the Hague; and whether, if such ratification has taken place, Her Majesty's Government has appointed four arbitrators in pursuance of Article XXIII. of the Convention; and, if so, can the names of the arbitrators be now given; if these have not as yet been appointed, will early steps be taken to make an appointment.
§ *MR. BRODRICKThe Convention in question was signed in October last, but has not yet been ratified, so far as we are aware, by the Governments of any of the signatory Powers. Her Majesty's Government will be ready to appoint four arbitrators when ratification has taken place.