§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked whether any, and, if any, what reciprocal concessions have been made by Japan in return for the surrender of Great Britain of her treaty rights and privileges of extraterritoriality in Corea?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer is in the negative, but Japan has undertaken to continue the existing tariff in Corea for ten years, and has given assurances as to the existing rights of British subjects.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked whether any assurances have been received from the Japanese Government regarding the question of land tenure and ownership and working of minerals by British subjects in Corea; and, if so, what is the nature of such assurances?
§ Sir E. GREYIn reply to representations by His Majesty's Government, the Japanese Government have declared that they will abide by the Declaration made at the time of the annexation of Corea, the text of which was published in the Press at the time, whereby the protection of the legally acquired rights of foreigners in Corea is assured. They have fully recognised that British owners of land or mines in Corea have the right to hold and dispose of such property without being subjected to the conditions and restrictions of the Japanese Law of 12th April, 1910, with regard to the ownership of land by foreigners or of the Mining Law at present in force in Japan proper. These answers have been accepted as satisfactory.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONIs there any objection to laying those papers before the House?
§ Sir E. GREYI will inquire, but I will not commit myself.