§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he will state when the concession for the proposed British railway from Kowloon to Canton was granted, and the names of the concessionaires; and, in view of the activity shown by the American syndicate in constructing their Hue from Canton to Hankow, can he explain why the proposed British railway has not yet been commenced.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord CRANBORNE,) RochesterThe British and Chinese Corporation were granted a preliminary agreement for the concession on the 28th March, 1898. The line has since been surveyed. This instrument provides for a final agreement to be signed in terms corresponding with those of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway Concession. The latter has only recently been concluded.