§ 9. Sir J. D. REESasked what is the position in Tibet as regards the practical maintenance of Chinese suzerainty?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker)The present position appears to be that the ex-Amban Len is on his way from Lhasa to India, and that the Chinese Government have appointed the general officer commanding their troops at Lhasa to be Amban in his place. The general, with a portion of his troops, has accordingly declined to leave Lhasa under the agreement recently concluded with the Tibetan Government whereby all Chinese officials and soldiers were to leave Tibet at once; and the Tibetans, regarding this refusal as a breach of the agreement, are holding him besieged in the Tengyeling Monastery.
§ 19. Sir HILDRED CARLILEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Chinese Government has forwarded any reply to the recent British Memorandum regarding Tibet; and, if so, whether he will communicate its nature to the House?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe answer is in the negative.