§ SIR H. COTTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received Reports of the progress of the anti-opium movement in China from the local consuls, missionaries, and other sources; and, if so, whether these Reports will be collated and Papers laid upon the Table at an early date.
§ MR. CHURCHILL (for Sir EDWARD GREY)Reports have been received tending to show that practical stops are being taken in many parts of China to give effect to the anti-opium regulations issued by the Chinese Government. But in view of the short time that these regulations have been in force—only since February last—the information is, as might be expected, hardly sufficiently definite and authoritative to lay before the House. The question of laying Papers will be considered as soon as the particulars received are likely to be of assistance in enabling a definite opinion to be formed as to the effectiveness of the regulations.