§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in China towards the full opening to trade of the West River, and of rivers generally.
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordIt is impossible within the limits of an answer to a question to give a complete account of the position; but the reports from Her 35 Majesty's Consuls included in the Papers now being prepared for Parliament contain full information on the subject. According to the latest information, trade is steadily increasing on the West River.
§ *MR. JOSEPH WALTON (Yorkshire, W.R., Barnsley)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not the fact that Nanning-fu, which was declared to be open as a treaty port in February last year, still remains unopened; and whether the Government have taken any steps to secure the immediate opening of the port?
§ *MR. BRODRICKI must ask for notice.