§ SIR E. ASHMEAD - BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government have released the Russian Government from the pledge given in 188G by the Czar's Government upon the British evacuation of Port Hamilton, that Russia would not under any circumstances occupy Korean territory.
§ * MR. BRODRICKThe assurance given by Russia in 1886 was not an assurance to Her Majesty's Government, but to another power. There is therefore no question of a release being given by Great Britain.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTHas not the assurance always been treated by previous Governments, of which the right hon. Gentleman was a member, as an assurance given to Great Britain?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order Notice must be given of that.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTDid I understand you to rule the question out of order?
§ * MR. SPEAKERI did.