§ LORD LYNDHURST,in the absence of the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, begged to ask the noble Marquess the President of the Council (meaning the Marquess of Lansdowne) a question which he and every Member of the Cabinet must be competent to answer. The noble Marquess was aware that by the treaty of the 2nd of December the parties to that treaty were bound to each other, in the event of peace not being concluded on the basis mentioned in the first article—that the Allied Powers would, without delay, deliberate on such measures as would be necessary to give effect to the principles agreed upon; and the question 1785 he had to ask was, whether this deliberation had been entered into at present? And, if so, whether this deliberation was entered into during the residence in Vienna of the noble Lord (Lord John Russell) and the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, and if such deliberation had been brought to any result?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEWhen the noble and learned Lord calls on me to answer, as the organ of the Government in this House, and as President of the Council, he invokes a departed spirit. In the absence of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, I am not able to answer, nor do I think that he would, if present, be able to state till the arrival of Lord John Russell, which will be in a few days, what has taken place in Vienna—if, indeed, anything has taken place.
§ The House adjourned till To-morrow.