HC Deb 13 July 1900 vol 85 cc1451-2
MR. DILLON

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a telegraphic despatch from the Government of China has been communicated within the last few days by the Chinese Ambassador to Her Majesty's Government; whether in that despatch the Chinese Government disowns all responsibility for the proceedings of the Boxers, and attributes a large share of the disasters which have occurred to the attack by the allied Admirals on. the Ta-ku forts; and whether this despatch will be laid immediately upon the Table of the House.

*MR. BRODRICK

A despatch purporting to proceed from the Emperor of China was received yesterday. I am not at present able to say whether it will be possible to include it in the Papers to be presented to Parliament.

MR. DILLON

Does the right hon. Gentleman refuse to inform the House of Commons whether a despatch from the Chinese Government has been received by Her Majesty's Government?

[No answer was given.]

MR. DILLON

I shall repeat the question on Monday.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Can the right. hon. Gentleman say whether the despatch has come through the usual official channels?

[No answer was given.]