HL Deb 08 July 1897 vol 50 cc1340-1
THE EARL OF MAYO

asked Her Majesty's Government whether they had any information as to the award concerning the Delagoa. Bay Railway, or whether they could say when that award was likely to be made public. It would be in their Lordships' recollection, he said, that some years ago the Portuguese Government seized the Delagoa Bay Railway, and that the bondholders interested in the matter managed to get it referred to arbitration. The arbitration had almost become ancient history now, and he supposed that the arbitrators would, in the sweet by-and-bye, give their award. He thought the amount in which Englishmen were interested was £743,000 odd. There was a question answered the other day in another place, when it was stated that the long delay which had taken place was due in equal proportions to the successive applications of both parties. He was credibly informed that the Portuguese were the people who had put in other claims and so delayed the arbitration.

THE PRIME MINISTER (The Marquess of SALISBURY)

I am afraid that arbitrations are emulating the ancient reputation of the Court of Chancery, and if there were a. Dickens in these days to write about them, a Jarndyce against Jarndyce might be found without difficulty in their records. The delay, I quite agree with my noble Friend, is something quite extraordinary, but when he asks me to apportion the responsibility of delay between the two sides of the case, I am wholly unable to do so. It is obvious that any delay that has taken place has taken place with the sanction of the tribunal, and I do not think you can go beyond its decision in order to blame the party, whoever it may be, by whose application any delay has happened. If my noble Friend asks me what the prospects of the arbitration are, I have to answer to him that I am informed that the decision will be speedily given—["hear, hear!"]—but I am afraid I shall not carry much comfort to his mind if I tell him that the sonic information has been supplied to me foi several years past. [Laughter.]

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

And also to me.

THE PRIME MINISTER

And also to the noble Lord opposite. [Laughter.] Therefore I fear I must leave my noble Friend to such consolation as he may be able to obtain from the reflection that after all he is supporting the sacred principle of arbitration. [Laughter.]

House Adjourned at Five Minutes before Five o'Clock, till To-morrow, a Quarter past Ten o'Clock.