§ MR. FLYNN (Cork County, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the officer in command of the Tibetan expedition has definitely decided to at once begin the march on Lhasa; and, if so, has the Chinese Government, as 266 the Suzerain Power, been communicated with, with a view to give its sanction to the advance.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe advance of the Mission to Lhasa has begun, the Tibetans having failed to send competent negotiators to Gyangtse. The Chinese Government has been kept duly apprised of the action of His Majesty's Government in Tibet.
§ MR. BRODRICKIt is not a case for obtaining Chinese sanction. The negotiations are being conducted with the Chinese and Tibetan representatives and the advance has begun because of the failure of the Tibetans to send competent representatives.
§ MR. BRODRICKYes, it is true China is the Suzerain Power, but it has committed its interests to the Amban, who is taking part in the negotiations.