HC Deb 17 February 1898 vol 53 c865
MR. JOSEPH WALTON (Yorkshire, W.R., Barnsley)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the great commercial importance to British interests of opening up early railway communication between Burma and China, the recently reported acquiescence of the Chinese Government in such a policy will be promptly acted on by Her Majesty's Government causing the necessary surveys to be made for a continuation of the Burma railway system into Yunnan?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. CURZON,) Lancashire, S.W., Southport

The question of the hon. Member is based upon a report which I am not in a position to confirm. In any case, I think it will be advisable to construct the railway to the Chinese Frontier before coming to any decision with reference to possible continuations beyond.