MR. J. WALTONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the date of the instructions given to Her Majesty's Minister at Pekin to press for the insertion in every railway concession granted by the Chinese Government of a proper provision as to equal treatment of all nationals and trade; and whether, in all concessions which have been granted to foreign Powers or syndicates, our rights have been expressly reserved in this sense, and in conformity with the Treaty of Tientsin by the Chinese Government?
MR. CURZONInstructions to resist preferential treatment for foreign subjects or trade were sent to Sir C. Mac-Donald in March last. Renewed and particular instructions with reference to railway concessions were sent to him on 13th July. I am unable to say what may be the provisions of concessions which I have not seen.