§ SIR JOSEPH PEASEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the proposals having reference to opium, which were made by the Chinese Government, and to which Her Majesty's Government have signified their readiness under certain conditions to agree, as was stated in the reply to the question of the honourable Member for Merthyr Tydvil on August 10th of last year, have been accepted by both Governments; and, whether he can present to the House the Papers connected with these negotiations?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo further communication has been received since last August in regard to the opium proposals from the Chinese Government; and I am afraid that we can hardly expect that they will be able to give their attention to the question until the Tonquin affair is arranged. It is not proposed to lay Papers at present.