HC Deb 12 March 1896 vol 38 cc764-5
MR. CHARLES SHAW (Stafford)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether 50 German marines are engaged in surveying the harbour and island of Lapa, and in bringing the roads into good order; and whether the necessary soundings and surveys having already been made at Quemoy, an act of annexation is imminent?

MR. EDWARD MOON (St. Pancras, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether his attention has been called to a report contained in a leading Berlin journal that the Chinese Government have ceded Lapa, therein referred to as a treaty port, to Germany; and whether he has any information on the point?

MR. CURZON

Her Majesty's Government have received no such information in regard to Lapa or Quemoy. They have, however, telegraphed to Peking to inquire.