SIR GILBERT PARKERI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether this Government is aware of the feeling existing in the Government and among the people of Newfoundland due to the late agreement made with the United States in relation to the fisheries; and whether the correspondence between this Government and that of Newfoundland will be laid upon the Table at the earliest moment. May I ask a further question— of which I have given private notice— namely, whether this Government are aware that the Newfoundland Government has decided to test the validity of the modus vivendi, and enforce the Act which forbids the Newfoundlanders to fish on foreign vessels in colonial waters; and what action the right hon. Gentleman proposes to take.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe Governor of Newfoundland keeps His Majesty's Government fully informed as to the state of public opinion in the Colony on the fisheries question. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has already promised that the correspondence with the Colonial Government on the subject of the provisional agreement with the United States shall be laid upon the Table, and the preparation of the Papers is being pushed forward with all possible speed. His Majesty's Government are aware that the Newfoundland Government have decided to enforce the Bait Act. I must decline to say whether any or what action will be taken.