§ MR. HUTTON (Manchester, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, What are the special objects of the expedition now being organised to proceed to Thibet under Mr. Colman Macaulay; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will urge upon the Indian Government the promotion of the interests of commerce, by appointing to that expedition a gentleman well versed in mercantile affairs?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. STAFFORD HOWARD) (Gloucester, Thornbury)The object of the Mission is to confer with the Chinese Commissioners and the Lhassa Government as to the resumption of commercial intercourse between Thibet and India. In reply to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, I have to say that the Secretary of State has been in communication with the Government of India on the subject, but that, looking to the delicate nature of the Mission, it has not been thought advisable to interfere with the arrangements already made by adding a special commercial Representative. I may add that Mr. Elwes, who has been given permission to accompany Mr. Macaulay, is competent to obtain all requisite information on commercial matters.