§ *MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)I bog to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the anti-opium edict is of the same character, force, and validity as the ordinary official edicts of the Chinese Government.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYAs far as I am aware, the reply to the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative
§ MR. REESIn that case, Sir, has the right hon. Gentleman seen the edict decreeing the posthumous promotion of the sage Confucius from the rank of the Sun and the Moon to that of Earth and Heaven?
§ MR. LYNCHHow can it be supposed the edict will be carried out when our Consuls are unable to give even an approximate idea of the amount of opium grown in China?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYasked for notice of the Question.