§ SIR H. COTTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the scene witnessed in the mixed court at Shanghai on 18th May, when the thirteen ringleaders in the outbreak at 1317 the municipal gaol a year ago were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, and all begged to be sent to the city gaol, declaring that decapitation would be preferable to imprisonment in the municipal gaol, and all had to be removed by force; and whether inquiry is being made into the circumstances and character of imprisonment in the Shanghai municipal gaol.
§ MR. CHURCHILLMy right hon. friend's attention has been called to the Press report of the scene referred to by the hon. Member, but he has no official information on the subject. It is probable that the objection of the prisoners to the municipal gaol was due to the superior discipline of the latter. A report has been asked for, and it may be added that in November last the Mixed Court Magistrate visited the gaol and expressed his appreciation of the system upon which it is governed, and his satisfaction at the treatment accorded to the prisoners.