§ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGE (Kensington, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether an "authoritative statement of facts relating to Sikkim Affairs" has been circulated to the Indian Press; and, if so, by whom, and on whose authority; (2) whether this official statement records a difference of opinion between the Government of India and the Home Authorities as to the policy of the Macaulay Mission to Pekin; and (3) whether Her Majesty's Government will take any steps to open up friendly relations with the Thibetan authorities, and to develop the Indian trade with Thibet through Sikkim, now that hostilities in Sikkim have come to an end?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)In reply to Questions one and two I can only repeat what I stated on the 9th instant, that the Secretary of State has no knowledge of any such Memorandum. In reply to the third Question, the relations of the Government with Thibet are now engaging the attention of the Viceroy and the Government of India.