§ Mr. FELL (for Mr. Lonsdale)asked whether any answer has been received from the Chinese Government to the formal representation of His Majesty's Minister at Peking with reference to the construction of the Shanghai—Hang-chau—Ningpo Railway; and whether the stipulations in the loan contract are now being observed?
§ Mr. T. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. His Majesty's Minister at Peking made a further representation to the Chinese Government on 2nd March, and urged them to devise remedial measures as soon as possible. With regard to the last part of the question, it is hoped that the recent dismissal of the President of the Board of Communications may lead to a more satisfactory state of things. The affairs of the Board are at the present moment being carefully inquired into by the Prince Regent himself, and His Majesty's Minister has requested that His Highness's attention should be specially invited to the question of the Shanghai-Ningpo Railway.