§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether thanks on behalf of Her Majesty's Government had been conveyed to the Spanish Government for the courtesy shown to this country in permitting Her Majesty's Ship Howe to be docked and repaired at Ferrol; if so, whether the Despatch conveying such thanks could be laid on the Table of the House? He said the Howe had occupied the dock at Ferrol for a period of several months, and her repair must have occasioned considerable inconvenience to the Spanish Government. He was told that the courtesy and kindness shown by all the authorities at the port were all that could be desired, and more than we had a right to expect. Had it not been for the fortuitous circumstance of a dock being at hand and available to us at Ferrol capable of receiving so large a vessel, she would probably have been lost to the country.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Earl of ROSEBERY)My Lords, I have constantly taken every opportunity of thanking the Spanish Government for the service they have rendered to Her Majesty's Navy, and of which no one can think more highly than I do. It is a great pleasure to Her Majesty's Government to owe this debt of gratitude to that generous nation. We have paid it as far as we can in the matter of thanks. The Howe came out of dock on the 15th ultimo, and on the 18th a formal Despatch was sent to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid instructing him to offer the thanks of Her Majesty's Government in the warmest terms for the services rendered by the Spanish Government in this matter. Her Majesty has also expressed her anxiety to confer various marks of re- 652 cognition on those who have assisted in the work; and Her Majesty's Government are awaiting the answer of the Spanish Government as to whether it would be agreeable to them that these marks should be given. There was a final Despatch sent of a complimentary nature; but I do not think it necessary to lay upon the Table a merely complimentary Despatch. If, however, the noble Viscount presses for it, I will offer no objection to its production.