§ MR. PRITCHARD MORGAN (Merthyr Tydfil)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make an exception to the rule requiring 24 hours' notice of Questions, and permit me, in view of the pressing importance of the subject to inquire whether the Chinese Government has refused to accede to the demands of the Italian Government for a sphere of influence with a lease of Sammun Bay as a naval base, and that the Tsung-li-Yamen has received a note from the British Minister at Pekin supporting the demands of Italy; and whether the Lequin dues of the Province of Che-Kiang (in which Sammun is situate) have been pledged by the Chinese Government as security for the repayment of the loan for 16 millions sterling."
§ MR. BRODRICKThe Question only reached me a few moments ago. I must ask for notice to be given.
§ MR. PRITCHARD MORGANI will put it down for Thursday.