LORD H. BENTINCK (Norfolk, N.W.)I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken in the case of the British ship Flodden, pillaged by Natives on the Yangtsze River in August, 1883, to obtain compensation from the Chinese Government?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.The case has formed the subject of instructions to Her Majesty's Minister at Pekin, and has been the subject of repeated representations to the Chinese Government. Those representations have not, however, hitherto resulted in any grant 1582 of compensation. The Chinese Government have not admitted their liability to make compensation, and have refused to levy a fine on the district. But they undertook to repeat the directions already given for the discovery of the wreckers and the stolen property. These fresh directions have, unfortunately, had no effect, and in view of the fact that the vessel was deserted by the officers and crew and left entirely derelict Her Majesty's Minister does not feel that the case can be strongly pressed. Her Majesty's Government cannot but acquiesce in that opinion, which is in consonance with the conclusion originally come to by them on the case after consideration with the Law Officers of the Crown.