§ MR. W. EWARTsaid, he rose to inquire of the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether advantage will be taken of the opportunity afforded by the negotiations with the Chinese Government at Pekin for opening a way for British and Indian commerce into Thibet and other countries under the Chinese dominions beyond the Himalaya Mountains? At the time of Warren Hastings we were pushing a considerable trade in woolens in Central Asia; but since that time it had wholly ceased. But there were several circumstances that rendered it desirable that trade should be reopened. Among others, he might mention the cultivation of tea, which was every year extending along the foot of the Himalaya Mountains on the British territory, and for which a market might be found in Central Asia, where the natives were great consumers of tea. There was also great reason to believe that gold would be found in great quantities in Thibet. For these and other reasons he ventured to press this question on the consideration of the Government.
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe fact is, that at present we, unfortunately, are engaged in no negotiations with the Court of Pekin. What may happen I cannot say; but we have as yet no means of carrying on any communication with the Chinese Government. The hon. Gentleman will remember, moreover, that when negotiations do take place they will be entered into in unison with three 1181 other Powers, and of course cur first endeavour will be to accomplish objects in which the three Powers are equally interested. I need not assure the hon. Gentleman, however, that as negotiations advance the Government, will be alive to the importance of the question which he has brought before the House, and that no opportunity will be lost by this or—I think I may say—by any British Government to assist the development of British commerce.