§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the approaching rainy season will prevent the keeping open of the 300 miles of communication with the Tibet Mission and that supplies cannot be drawn from the surrounding country, he will enter into direct diplomatic communication with the Chinese Government, who have accredited residents with escorts in all chief towns of inner Tibet.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BRODRTCK,) Surrey, GuildfordI stated on Thursday last, in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for North Manchester, the steps that have been taken to communicate with the Chinese Government and the Amban at Lhasa. It is not proposed to take any further steps at present.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless he communicates with the Chinese Government direct and asks them to give the Amban of Lhasa instructions, the Amban dare not meet the Mission?
§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)Is the Amban now at Lhasa?
§ MR. BRODRICKHe was at Lhasa when we last held communication with him.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the officer in charge of our Mission is now on the Indian frontier, 300 miles from the Mission?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo, Sir.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONIt is so.
§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any information as to the actual military situation at the present moment?
§ [No answer was returned.]