§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, having regard to the fact that, under the terms, of the agreement signed by the British and Chinese Corporation, Limited, and the Chinese Government on the 9th July last, the Corporation undertook to provide a capital of £3,250,000 for the construction of the Shanghai and Nanking Railway by the 9th instant, and that the requisite loan has not yet been arranged, will he ascertain whether the Chinese Government have assented to an extension of the period during which the money may be found, and the nature of any such extension.
§ EARL PERCYWe understand that it has been mutually agreed between the Chinese Government and the Corporation to postpone for the time being the issue of the loan in accordance with the terms of the contract which provides for the contingency of an unfavourable condition of the money market in the event of an outbreak of war.
§ EARL PERCYNo, Sir.