§ 6. Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the importance of the Yangtse to British trade, he can say if he has any official information to the effect that the China Merchants' Steamship Company will shortly pass under foreign control, direct or indirect?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. LYNCHDoes that mean that the right hon. Gentleman has not the information, or that he has the full information?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILI am afraid I cannot go further than to say that it means exactly what it says; it is a negative to the question put by the hon. Gentleman.