§ Sir H. COTTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Government have formally given their consent to the proposals presented by the American Minister inviting China to co-operate with the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Holland, and Japan in an inquiry into the whole question of the opium trade and production; and whether there is any objection to laying Papers on the subject.
§ Sir EDWARD GREYI have not yet heard that the formal consent of the Chinese Government has been given. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's Question, the arrangements are not yet in a sufficiently advanced state to justify the laying of Papers.