§ MR. YERBURGH (Chester)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can give the House any further information with regard to the Niu-chwang railway extension loan?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI have nothing to add to what I said to my honourable Friend yesterday.
MR. J. WALTON (York, W.R., Barnsley)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury the last Question of the Session, whether Her Majesty's Government will use their influence at Pekin to prevent the ratification of the Pekin-Hankau railway concession in favour of any foreign Governments or syndicates; and whether, in order to secure the neutralisation of this railway, they will facilitate its construction by the Chinese Government, and if necessary guarantee a loan for this purpose?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am sorry to have to give so 15 unsatisfactory a reply to a Question which occupies so dignified a position. I cannot give the honourable Gentleman the pledge he asks for.
§ MR. LOWLES (Shoreditch, Haggerston)Without infringing on the position taken up by my honourable Friend opposite in respect to the last Question of the Session, may I ask whether, in the event of railway concessions already acquired by French or Belgian syndicates in the Yang-tsze Valley being bought by English capitalists and worked by English companies, they will receive the recognition of the Government?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYEvery legitimate commercial enterprise in China will receive the support of Her Majesty's Government.
§ MR. LOWLESIn the event of their wanting information as to whether the concessions are valid, will the Foreign Office assist them?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am sure every assistance will be given, both at Pekin and London, to any companies such as those to which the honourable Member refers.