§ 13. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. H. P. King, formerly in the employment of the Pekin Syndicate, was offered a sum of money conditionally upon his maintaining silence respecting the affairs and the trade of the syndicate in China; that Mr. H. P. King declined these terms and resigned his appointment; and that, on his having sent to a London paper information of vital importance to the investing public, an injunction was granted by the Consular Court at Tientsin and Mr. H. P. King was committed to prison for seven days; and whether he will call for a Report upon the whole matter from the Consul-General?
§ Sir E. GREYI have no information with regard to the statements in the first part of the question. In answer to the latter part, as I informed the hon. Member in my reply to his question of the 1st instant, a Report shall be obtained from His Majesty's Consul-General.
§ Mr. KINGWith regard to the former answer on this question, does the right hon. Gentleman realise that I want the inquiry somewhat enlarged, in order that it may extend not only over the suffering of this gentleman, but over the commercial conditions which it reveals?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot undertake to inquire into the relations between the person employed and those who employed him. I can only undertake to inquire into the action of, the Consul-General.
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot investigate the affairs of every British company which operates outside the British Empire.