MR. BELLATRSTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been received by the Foreign Office, or addressed by the Foreign Office to the Admiralty, concerning the increase of piracy on the China station; and whether the Chinese Government are actively co-operating with a view to the suppression of these lawless proceedings.
(Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) Communications have passed between the Admiralty and Foreign Office on this subject. The commanding officers of His Majesty's ships on the West River are being called upon to report periodically on the state of security of traffic on the waterways in the neighbourhood of Canton, and from time to time to suggest such improvements as may appear to them desirable in the plans devised for keeping piracy in check. The question is now engaging the attention of the commander-in-chief. The Chinese Government have sent very stringent instructions to the Canton Viceroy as to the necessity of suppressing piracy.