§ 1. Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the reported Japanese demands with regard to concessions for railway construction in China affect any concessions for similar work already granted to 414 British subjects and, if so, in what way; whether he has received any representations on the matter from British concessionaires; and whether he can state what action he proposes to take?
§ Sir E. GREYAs regards the first question I must refer the hon. Member to the statement on the subject of these negotiations which was made in this House on the 20th instant. I may add that the Japanese Government have been informed of the concessions already granted to British subjects, and will no doubt respect any rights already acquired. We have not received representations from British concessionaires, and the action already taken in informing the Japanese Government has been taken in order to avoid existing British railway concessions being injured by new ones granted to Japan.