§ MR. ASCROFT (Oldham)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the competition on some classes of goods in China is serious and menacing, and has forced a restriction on the import of certain classes of fabrics of which this country once had a monopoly; whether the Government intend to take 1328 steps to secure every available river, lake, and canal in China being thrown open to steam navigation without any restriction as to place of call; whether the Government contemplate any means by which steps will be taken to obtain the opening up of the River Yang-tsze and the surveying by the Government of same with a view to its being proved suitable for steam navigation, and whether charts showing the width, depth, and configuration of banks for every 10 feet of rise of water will be prepared; whether he is aware that the Yang-tsze regulations in respect to maritime customs are invidious and hampering, and require immediate revision; whether any communications have been made to the Chinese Government in regard to same, and whether it is the intention of the Government, considering the great trade concessions obtained by Russia and other foreign Powers in China, to take any steps to further British commerce in that Empire; and when and how the same will be done, and on whom will the responsibility rest?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OP STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. N. CUBZON,) Lancs, SouthportThis Question only appeared on the Paper this morning, and I must ask for longer notice.
§ MR. ASCROFTIs the right honourable Gentleman aware that the Question is based on the Report of the Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, of which I sent him a copy?
MR. CURZONYes; but I only received it this morning, and, busy as I have been, I have had no time to look into the matter.
§ MR. ASCROFTI will repeat the Question on Thursday.