§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCK (University of London)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a Telegraphic Convention between the Chinese Government and certain British and Foreign Telegraph Companies has lately been signed, and whether the ratification by the British Government is sought by the interested parties; whether this Convention would fix the charge for telegraphic communication to China for a long period of years, so as to preclude competition with existing cables and land lines during that time; and whether Her Majesty's Government will lay the proposed Convention (terms of which are known in this country, but which have so far been kept secret) upon the Table of the House before its ratification?
§ * SIR J. FERGUSSONThe arrangement between the Chinese Government, the Northern Telegraph Company, which uses the Russian overland line, and the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company was signed on August 10, 1887, and purposed to provide for a fixed rate on through messages from Europe to China, by whatever route transmitted, until 1903. The Convention leaves it open to the parties concerned to reduce the rates, and does not preclude the laying of additional cables by other persons. It was, however, made subject to approval by the British and Russian Governments, and Her Majesty's 'Government have not given their consent to it. Negotiations were lately in progress for its modification, but these have now been suspended, and the whole matter is for the present in abeyance. The consent of Her Majesty's Government will not be given to any such agreement without full consideration of all the interests involved and consultation with the Representatives of British commerce, but no pledge can be given as to preliminary presentation of the agreement to Parliament