§ EARL DE LA WARRasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the recent case at Tunis affecting the right of property of a British subject; and, whether the Correspondence and Papers relating thereto can be laid upon the Table of the House?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, a dispute has arisen between a British subject resident at Tunis and a French Company, with regard to the purchase and right of pre-emption of a very considerable estate called the Enfida. There have been communications between the two Governments, as there were complaints of Consular interference. Both Governments agree that it is a matter in which political influence ought not to be used. At the end of last week the French Government informed mo that they had sent orders to their Representative at Tunis not to intervene. I had already anticipated this stop by directing our Consul General not to take any step without orders from home. As both Governments are animated by a conciliatory spirit, and both are agreed as to the general principle on which the matter should be treated, there ought to be no difficulty as to their common co-operation regarding it. Communications were still going on.