Lord J. Russellwished to put a question to the right hon. Gentleman, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the subject of the petition he had presented previously from Bombay. He wished to ascertain the causes of the delay which had taken place in the payment of the indemnity for the opium surrendered to the Chinese. The right hon. Gentleman had stated that some inquiry was to be made this year as to the value of the opium. He begged to ask whether the inquiry had yet been made, or was now proceeding, or was intended?—at what time it was likely to be terminated, and whether there was any valid objection to the payment of the indemnity?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, he had already apprised certain parties interested in the payment for the opium, that until the ratification of the treaty with China, it was impossible that Government could act on the stipulations therein contained. The ratification on our part had been sent out from this country; it would probably soon be exchanged with the Chinese government, and then her Majesty's Government would be enabled to take steps in fulfilment of the condition of the treaty. 1277 With respect to the payment of indemnity, go anxious was the Government to prevent any delay in the settlement of the just claims of the opium holders, that reference had been made to India and China, and when the inquiry into the claims was completed, reports would be received from both those quarters, on which her Majesty's Government would be able maturely to form their judgment.