§ *MR. JOSEPH WALTON (Yorkshire, W.R., Barnsley)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is aware that British owned steamers specially built to trade under the agreement with the Chinese Government, which authorised British ships to carry British goods to every riverside town and station, are being taken off the West River in consequence of not being allowed to load or discharge cargo at places between treaty ports; and whether Her Majesty's Government will insist on the carrying out of the agreement as to navigation on inland waterways in its entirety.
§ *MR. BRODRICKWe have not heard of any British steamers having 1181 been taken off the West River in the circumstances referred to. The agreement with the Chinese Government permitted foreigners to trade in steamers where native boats had been permitted. This did not include every riverside town and station. The hon. Member will find further information on this subject in the papers which are shortly to be presented.