§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present understanding of the promise of the Chinese Government as to the eventual succession to Sir Robert Hart in his office; and whether a new office has been created with powers such as to constitute an alteration of the position of Sir Robert Hart and of his eventual successor in office.
(Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) The promise given by the Chinese Government will be found on page 19 of China Blue-book No. 1, 1899, and is to the effect that an Englishman shall continue to be employed as Inspector-General of the Imperial Maritime Customs, so long as the trade of Great Britain at the various Chinese ports exceeds that of any other country. This condition still obtains.
An Imperial Decree appeared on the 9th instant appointing the President of the Board of Revenue to be Administrator General of the Customs, with control over all Chinese and Foreigners in the Customs Service. His Majesty's Government cannot suppose that it is intended by the terms of this Decree to introduce any alteration in regard to the functions exorcised by the Inspector-General; but His Majesty's Chargé d' Affaires at Pekin has been instructed to ask the Chinese Government for explanations as to the exact meaning of the Decree.