MR. CURZON (Lancashire, Southport)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can inform the House if it is true that the French Plenipotentiary to Bangkok has been instructed to demand a French concession for a canal across the Malay Peninsula; and whether, if he has no information, Her Majesty's Government will address an inquiry to the French Government on the matter?
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickI quite agree with the hon. Member as to the importance which any such proposal would have as regards British interests; but it is not desirable to address a formal inquiry to the French Government founded only upon an unauthorised report in the Press.