§ SIR RICHARD TEMPLE (Surrey, Kingston)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether Japan is bound by existing engagements to share with the United Kingdom any commercial privileges she may possess or acquire in China or elsewhere?
§ SIR E. GREYNo engagement exists with Japan to this effect, but under Article 24 of the Treaty with China of June 26, 1858, "it is agreed that British subjects shall pay on all merchandise imported or exported by them 1622 the duties prescribed by the tariff, but in no case shall they be called upon to pay other or higher duties than are required of the subjects of any other foreign nation," and under Article 54 of that Treaty, the British Government and its subjects are" confirmed in all privileges, immunities and advantages conferred on them by previous Treaties," and it is "expressly stipulated that the British Government and its subjects will be allowed free and equal participation in all privileges, immunities and advantages that may have been, or may be hereafter granted by His Majesty the Emperor of China to the Government or subjects of any other nation."