§ 5. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any and, if so, what answer has been received to the British note of 17th August, 1912, addressed to the Government of China; and, if so, whether His Majesty's Government accepts the contention, if advanced, that China has sovereign rights and rights of intervention in the internal administration of Tibet?
§ Mr. ACLANDA memorandum in reply to the British Note of 17th August last was handed to His Majesty's Minister at Peking on 23rd December. I have as yet only received a telegraphic summary of this communication which is now under consideration. His Majesty's Government would not accept any unqualified contention of the nature suggested in the last part of the question.