§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government have taken any steps to prevent the exportation of arms or munitions of war to China by British firms; and, if not, whether immediate steps will be taken.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.As the hon. Member knows, it is impossible in the present state of the law to forbid the importation of munitions of war into China from this country; but the matter seems to the Government to be extremely pressing, and to-day a Bill will be introduced in the House of Lords conferring the necessary powers.