HC Deb 14 September 1893 vol 17 cc1133-4
COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if definite instructions will be given to Lord Dufferin in negotiating with the French Government on the Siamese Question to insist upon no restrictions being placed upon British trade in any part of Siam, having regard to the fact that 93 per cent. of the imports and 85 per cent. of the exports were last year conveyed in British ships?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, Berwick

As far as Her Majesty's Government are aware, no proposal has been made to place restrictions upon British trade in any part of Siam. But Lord Dufferin is fully alive to the importance of the British commercial interests in Siam, and will receive whatever instructions may appear necessary in case they should be in any way threatened.