LORD STANLEYPerhaps the noble Marquess will allow me to ask him when the papers relative to the recent interference of this country in the affairs of Sicily will be presented to the House? Our mediation having ceased, and all further interference being now unnecessary, I conceive 452 that there can be no reason whatever for the further postponement of the production of these papers. I wish also to ask the noble Marquess whether instructions have been given to Her Majesty's naval forces to withdraw from the waters of Sicily, as the civil war there has been renewed, and whether those instructions (if given) have been acted upon?
§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEI think the time has arrived when these papers in extenso ought to be laid on the table of the House. I certainly had hoped to have been able to present them this very day, but I regret, though every exertion has been made by the Foreign Office, that I am unable to do so—they are not quite ready. With respect to the other question, I will say most distinctly that our naval force, under Sir W. Parker, has, under instructions sent to him for that purpose, been withdrawn from the waters of Sicily. When I state that that force has been so withdrawn, of course I do not mean to say that no ships whatever have been left on the coast of Sicily; but I say that those that have been so left, have been left solely with a regard to the interests of British subjects or British property, and with positive instructions not to interfere, either directly or indirectly, in the hostilities now unfortunately renewed, except for the protection of British property. When we consider what may unhappily be the end of the contest, which unfortunately has been renewed in those parts, care must be taken to ensure for British property and British subjects that respect to which they are entitled from all belligerent Powers.
LORD STANLEYThe answer of the noble Marquess is entirely to the point. So far from complaining of the course which has been pursued under the present circumstances, I think that the Government would have neglected its duty if it had not left one or two ships on the coast of Sicily for the protection of British interests, British subjects, and British property; and I am glad to hear from the noble Marquess, that the instructions given to the commanders of those ships are not to interfere, either directly or indirectly, in the contest going on there, but to confine themselves exclusively to the protection of British interests and property.