The Express.
London, England, 1863-07-03 00:00:00

JAPAN.

Mr. COCHRANE gave notice that on going into com-
mittee of supply he would call attention to the 'Heirs of
Japan, and ask whether any despttches had been received
from our representative in that country.

AFFAIRS OF POLAND.
Mr. HORSMAN asked the Under Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs on what day the English and French notes
were received at St. Petersburg , on what day the Austrian
note was received ; on what day the several notes were pre-
sented to the Russian minister ; and whether the British
ambassador was instructed to keep back the English note
sill the Austrian note arrived.

Mr. LAYARD—In answer to the many questions of my
right boa. friend I beg to state that the English note left
London on the 17th June ; the Vienna note left Vienna on
the lflth June ; and that the three notes arrived at St. Peter-
sburg on the same day. namely, the evening of the 21st June ;
a meeting of the three representatives wu called to decide on
the course to be taken ; that meeting took place on the 23rd,
and a request was forwarded by the representatives to the
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs asking when they would
be received. The day appointed by Prince Gort-
clukoff was the 27th. On that day, therefore,
the representatives waited upon Prince Gortehakoff
sad delivered to him the despatches. Prince Gortclu-
koff received them, and said he would refer them to the
Emperor for an answer. No instructions were given to the
English ambueador to wait for the arrival of the Austrian
note ; but be was instructed to come to an understanding
as to the day and mode of presenting the despatches. (Hear.)
Mr. HORSIIAN asked whether her Majesty's govern-
ment bad received any further communications from St.
Petersburg sines these despatches were delivered on the
27th, and whether the hon. gentleman would give the
house any information as to the probable time when they
might expect an answer.

Mr. LiYARD—We have received no answer yet. I
cannot inform my right boo. friend at what time the &sewer
may be expected. When it does arrive it shall be imme-
diately communicated to the house. (Chem.)

DISTRESS IN IRELAND.
Mr. BAGWELL asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if
bis attentioe had been drawn to the statements roads I.
the public journals of destitution, amounting to starva-
tion, prevailing in certain parts of Ireland ; sod whether
the oftinial communications he receives from the Poor Law
justify or deny the truth of such state-

manta.
Sir R. PEEL said statements had appeared on the sub-
ject in the daily journals. but it bad been found th►t they
could sot be wholly depended on, as they were greatly
exaggerated. He had received no official communication
iron! the Poor Law Commissioners as to any destitution
amounting to starvation. He was grieved to say that mach
distress did exist, but be had not heard of asy case of death
from starvation.

lONIAN ISLANDS.
Colonel FRENCH asked the Under Secretary of State for
the Colonies in what manner the desire of the inhabitants
of the fauna Islands to be annexed to the kingdom of
Greece was to he tested.
Mr. C. FORTESC HE said the most obvious mode of test-
ing the desire of the inhabitvote would be to dissolve their
parliament, and summon a new parliament by proclamation,
informing them of the special object for which it was called.
His noble (need was in communientioe with Sir Henry
Storks on the subiect, so that he could not for the present
announce the final decision.