§ EARL GREYwished to know when their Lordships might expect the Papers connected with the Ionian Question, including Mr. Gladstone's Commission, to be laid before their Lordships.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYIt is quite true that the formal documents will soon be in the hands of Her Majesty's Government; but, on the other hand, to lay the papers upon the table opens the door to the discussion of the general subject, and I do not think that this Question ought to come before the House at present in a general debate. I have not the least wish to delay the production of the papers unnecessarily. We are expecting daily the final decision of the Ionian Legislature upon the propositions made to them; and as soon after that as possible I will take care that the Papers, including the Commission, shall be laid upon the table. Mr. Gladstone is now at Venice; he will be at Turin on the 3rd; in Paris on the 9th; and will probably arrive in London a day or two after. Under these circumstances I shall be glad if the noble Earl will consent to postpone his Motion till the 14th instead of the 7th of March. I will endeavour meanwhile to have the papers laid upon the table, and we shall then be ready to go into a discussion of the whole question. I should prefer to have all the Papers laid upon the table at the same time.