§ MR. PULESTONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true, as stated in the public papers, that Her Majesty's Government, through its Representative at Pekin, is in communication with the Government of China in regard to the trade in opium between India and China; and, if so, at what stage matters have arrived?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEHer Majesty's Government have been in communication for a considerable time with the Chinese Government, through Her Majesty's Minister at Pekin, respecting the opium trade and the arrangement on the subject conditionally agreed to in the 1245 Chefoo Convention. The negotiations have been adjourned pending the consideration by Her Majesty's Government of a new proposal for the settlement of this question recently made by the Chinese Government. Sir Thomas Wade telegraphed, on the 9th of February last, that he was reporting fully on that proposal, and Her Majesty's Government are now awaiting his Report.